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21/01/2010
Iris Lobby Probe Halted
The likely cost of any major investigation into lobbying undertaken by disgraced MP, Iris Robinson has led a Stormont Executive Minister to rule-out any such probe.
A Sinn Féin question in the Assembly has uncovered news that, despite fresh details emerging on lobbying activities by the DUP's Iris Robinson on planning applications involving developers said to have bankrolled her then lover's business, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has ruled out a full trawl of the records.
He said this week that it would involve "disproportionate" costs for his department.
Mrs Robinson lobbied in 2008 for a Newtownards housing scheme linked to builder Ken Campbell, yet, around this same time, she obtained £25,000 from the businessman for her 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley's new cafe business.
A further £25,000 was received for the cafe from property tycoon Fred Fraser, who has since died.
Yesterday, in reply to the questions from Sinn Féin MLA Daithi McKay, Mr Poots cited three examples of his DUP colleague making representations on specific cases.
These included the proposed Newtownards development which was already a matter of public record, plus a 2005 housing scheme proposal in Comber also linked to Mr Campbell's company.
The Minister also stated that Mrs Robinson made representations on a 2003 application from a Fraser-linked company for a dwelling on land in Newtownards.
(BMcC/GK)
A Sinn Féin question in the Assembly has uncovered news that, despite fresh details emerging on lobbying activities by the DUP's Iris Robinson on planning applications involving developers said to have bankrolled her then lover's business, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has ruled out a full trawl of the records.
He said this week that it would involve "disproportionate" costs for his department.
Mrs Robinson lobbied in 2008 for a Newtownards housing scheme linked to builder Ken Campbell, yet, around this same time, she obtained £25,000 from the businessman for her 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley's new cafe business.
A further £25,000 was received for the cafe from property tycoon Fred Fraser, who has since died.
Yesterday, in reply to the questions from Sinn Féin MLA Daithi McKay, Mr Poots cited three examples of his DUP colleague making representations on specific cases.
These included the proposed Newtownards development which was already a matter of public record, plus a 2005 housing scheme proposal in Comber also linked to Mr Campbell's company.
The Minister also stated that Mrs Robinson made representations on a 2003 application from a Fraser-linked company for a dwelling on land in Newtownards.
(BMcC/GK)
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The DUP has responded to a call for unionist unity by UUP MLA David McNarry claiming that unionism is uniting - around the DUP. Strangford DUP MLA Iris Robinson said: "Unionists are uniting around the position and policies of the Democratic Unionist Party.
22 July 2008
Robinson Denies 'Child Abuse' Slur On Gays
Just weeks after DUP MP Iris Robinson insisted in a BBC radio interview that gay people could be "turned around" - and subsequently said she would defend her right to express her religious beliefs - the NI First Minister's wife and party colleague has said her views may have been misrepresented in a second apparent 'gaff'.
Robinson Denies 'Child Abuse' Slur On Gays
Just weeks after DUP MP Iris Robinson insisted in a BBC radio interview that gay people could be "turned around" - and subsequently said she would defend her right to express her religious beliefs - the NI First Minister's wife and party colleague has said her views may have been misrepresented in a second apparent 'gaff'.
09 June 2008
Police To Investigate Robinson Gay Comments
Police have confirmed they are investigating comments made by a DUP MP who criticised homosexual practices as "an abomination". Iris Robinson, the chair of the Stormont health committee, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show on Friday, also said she believed gay people could be "turned around".
Police To Investigate Robinson Gay Comments
Police have confirmed they are investigating comments made by a DUP MP who criticised homosexual practices as "an abomination". Iris Robinson, the chair of the Stormont health committee, speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show on Friday, also said she believed gay people could be "turned around".
15 June 2009
Dundonald Body Find 'Shattering' Says MP
A man's body has been found in a stream in east Belfast. It was discovered in the Upper Newtownards Road area around 8.30am on Monday by a member of the public who reported finding the body near to Moate Park. The PSNI said that officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
Dundonald Body Find 'Shattering' Says MP
A man's body has been found in a stream in east Belfast. It was discovered in the Upper Newtownards Road area around 8.30am on Monday by a member of the public who reported finding the body near to Moate Park. The PSNI said that officers are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
10 September 2014
Committee Discusses Robinson Finances
The Assembly Committee on Standards and Privileges is to meet in closed session on Wednesday to discuss a report into Peter and Iris Robinson's financial dealings. The closed session follows a BBC documentary four years ago that looked at Iris Robinson's financial and personal relationship with Kirk McCambley, a 19-year-old businessman.
Committee Discusses Robinson Finances
The Assembly Committee on Standards and Privileges is to meet in closed session on Wednesday to discuss a report into Peter and Iris Robinson's financial dealings. The closed session follows a BBC documentary four years ago that looked at Iris Robinson's financial and personal relationship with Kirk McCambley, a 19-year-old businessman.
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