Wife's Sex Scandal Forces N. Ireland Pol to Take Break

The first minister of Northern Ireland will take a 6-week break pending an investigation into a sex scandal involving his wife. Peter Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, has been under enormous political pressure since revelations that his wife, Iris, a member of the Northern Ireland assembly, received $80,000 from developers to give to her teenage lover to start a cafe. Iris Robinson was 58 at the time; Kirk McCambley was 19.

A BBC exposé said Peter Robinson knew about the transaction. The assembly will investigate the conduct of both Robinsons. Arlene Foster, the acting first minister, said Peter Robinson "entirely rejects this false allegation made by the BBC Spotlight program and will be seeking to clear his name in the days that lie ahead," adding that an internal review had already cleared the first minister of any wrongdoing.
(More Peter Robinson stories.)