In the clear
February 3, 2010
Peter Robinson has resumed his duties as Northern Ireland's first minister after being cleared of financial impropriety Wednesday.
Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, stepped down January 11 after his wife admitted to an affair with a 19-year-old and a BBC documentary made the allegations of financial impropriety.
His wife, also a British Parliament member, acknowledged that she had solicited funds to provide the young man with a 50,000 pound (57,100 euro, $79,600) business loan, for which Robinson was also accused of being in breach of parliamentary code.
"I have acted at all times properly, and in compliance with my public duties," Robinson said in a statement to AFP. An internal investigation found there had been "no breaches whatsoever" of the ministerial code of conduct, pledge of office or other ethics rules. Robinson is considering legal action over the claims.
Though Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster stood in as first minister during Robinson's absence, he continued to lead talks on the transfer of police and justice powers to Belfast from London.
Shaun Woodward, Britain's Northern Ireland minister, said earlier Wednesday that "considerable progress" had been made in the talks but admitted they were "on the edge."
cmk/AFP/AP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Nancy Isenson