Robinson steps aside to clear name
DUP leader Peter Robinson has said he is temporarily stepping down as Northern Ireland First Minister in an attempt to clear his name following the scandal surrounding his wife Iris.
In a shock move, party colleague and enterprise minister Arlene Foster will fill the role for up to six weeks.
The development came within hours of DUP members offering Mr Robinson their full support, but he said he needs time to care for his family, allow the crisis to be investigated and help resolve the threat to the future of the Assembly.
"As a father and a husband, I need to devote time to deal with family matters," he said.
He added: "I continue to contend I have acted ethically and it is particularly painful at this time of great personal trauma that I have to defend myself from an unfounded and mischievous allegation."
Acting First Minister Mrs Foster addressed the Assembly in the aftermath of the announcement.
"On behalf of the First Minister, I want to make it clear that he entirely rejects the sole allegation made by the BBC Spotlight programme and will be seeking to clear his name in the days that lie ahead," the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Assembly member said.
