For what, they’ve been called to the DUP party headquarters in East Belfast, we do not know… But I suspect we’re going to find out soon…
Update: None of the Belfast print media have been invited. And the press office is disclaiming any knowledge that anything is happening there. But we understand that the BBC are parked outside the building.
It’s not published until 3rd March, but one book I recommend you place an advance order for from Slugger’s Bookstore is James Harkin’s Niche. Belfast émigré Harkin examines a number of stories from business, culture and politics and comes to a single insight: everywhere the broad middle is collapsing. He offers Woolworths as an iconic exemplar [...] read our review »
Interesting BBC article on an upcoming presentation and talk [Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 17 August] by lecturer and broadcaster Stephen Price on the subject of his new book – The Earl Bishop. The 18th Century ”Earl Bishop” was Frederick Augustus Hervey, fourth Earl of Bristol and Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry. Hervey was also elected [...] read our review »
This reads as if a mad picaresque tale. Myers as first a reporter for RTÉ and then as a freelance journalist with no real experience, finds himself wandering into savagery as he hastens north as the Troubles explode. A soldier dies next to him; he witnesses an IRA ambush; he sees children shot to death [...] read our review »
LOL iluvni
I was hoping someone would bring religion into the conversation. What is God’s position on extramarital sex by the way? It’s ok if you’re sufficiently homophobic? – Neil
Well Neil the bible states it is perfectly okay to have sex slaves and servants. Old Abraham was banging a few broads in his day.
“was she doing a lot of eating out?”
The comeback on that comment is just too obvious. I’ll refrain.
Just got a call from the BBC to confirm their News department are running with a breaking story and all their Newsline Schedule has been ripped up for it….
http://www.politics.ie/northern-ireland/121731-iris-robinson-having-affair-behind-husband-peters-back-story-about-break-7.html
Oooooo very exciting!
Oooooo very exciting!
Posted by Garza on Jan 06, 2010 @ 05:20 PM
I agree trouble is its not knowing whats going to be the breaking news.oh goody cant wait for this
All versions of the bible have fundamental commandments against committing adultery, so if she has done as is now rumoured, then her basing her own tirade against homosexuality on what the bible says about the practice is pretty despicable hypocrisy.
And if her depression is now to be “alleged” (with this revelation being the likely basis of her retirement from public life) then that in itself was a very cynical use of other people’s sympathy for sufferers of mental illness for her selfish purposes.
I’m listening to the BBC Radio Ulster News at the minute and if this story is breaking it is breaking very slowly….
… school closures, burst water pipes, sport, weather. No mention of this so far….
“if this story is breaking it is breaking very slowly…. ”
Probably embargoed until 6pm or 630pm.
Eamonn Mallie knows already…which is why he’s teasing.
And if her depression is now to be “alleged” (with this revelation being the likely basis of her retirement from public life) then that in itself was a very cynical use of other people’s sympathy for sufferers of mental illness for her selfish purposes.
Posted by Alias on Jan 06, 2010 @ 05:24 PM
i should wait to hear if this is true the speculation and your remarks are ill judged just wait then condenm after its being confirmed.
go look at politics.ie see if you can sort out facts from ravings there, had always heard peter wasnt easily lived with, this could be all rather nasty.
What’s the time there now? My computer shows messages timed at N.A. Eastern time minus one hour.
Incidentally, the symptoms of clinical depression include a loss of sex drive, so it’s a bit of a stretch to credulity to use that as an excuse to explain why she had an affair (if that is the case). If she said that she had mild depression instead of a major form of it, then a symptom of low self-esteem would indeed leave her vulnerable to flattery and an affair.
According to his Facebook feed, there is a threat from Michael Shilliday:
The fall out (if only from the 74th largest Commons majority) thereof could be toxic.
alias good comment
By the way if Peter was not giving her any care and attention, starved of affection I wouldn’t blame her looking elsewhere for love.
But to be so condemning of others is nasty hypocrisy, we’ll hear soon enough.
It must be bigger than an affair malcolm. Going nuclear?
1-0!!!
It seems that politics.ie was way ahead of Slugger on this story.
Never mind, Mick. You can console yourself by looking forward to Rusty Nail repeating the same thread that he’s had on for the last year-Cutting edge Slugger, my arse!!
This is like watching paint dry……
JoeCanuck it is about 5.40pm in NI. You can get Radio Ulster live streamed on the BBC Radio Ulster website, the evening news is from 5pm to 6.30pm, but so far no mention of this story, whatever it might be…
If this rumour is true and Mr.Robinson is not directly involved, it should not in of itself be a resignation matter.
The same might be said of Adams apart from his apparent lies.
It might be difficult to carry on, however, if you are made a figure of fun or if you are looked on with pity.
What a mess.
direct hit chewnic, bite on that rusty nail
Thanks, Aldamir.
Listening now.
Robinson has shown himself to be a pragmatic leader and hopefully he can continue to lead the DUP given that his personal life is his own business and as with Gerry Adams should not be subject to lurid speculation when there is no evidence that either of them have broken any laws.
Originally Posted by David Cochrane View Post
I’ve been told the man she was having an affair with is catholic, no means of confirming it directly, but the source is reliable.
Also from Politics.ie, David is editor on the site, so a serious comment
fin, well catholics are randier than protestants
*ducks*
Funny that, Percy. When I was a young lad growing up in a “mixed” town, the Catholic youths thought that Protestant girls were “looser” and the Protestant boys felt the opposite.
Just broken on 6pm headlines…
IRIS ROBINSON ADMITS SHE HAD AN AFFAIR AND TRIED TO KILL HERSELF – utv news
according to politics.ie
is this true
Up on Slugger…
Chewnic,
Eaten bread soon forgotten?
Is this really an important news story, the woman is no longer a public figure, as contemptible and hypocritical as I find some of her past behaviour, it seems to me once she stood down as an MP, and from the Stormont thingy this became a private matter.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8444422.stm
that statement
Oh yes Fin… Robo reading emotional statement to Ken Reid on UTV… Just remember this is a BBC story… Extended edition on BBC Newsline…
Alternativeley, Mick, better late than never-for Slugger.
I’m saying nothing. The story is the thing. Just don’t get distracted. This was firstly a BBC story. Smart move to got to UTV with the bigger audience first.
Fair enough, Mick-sorry for the cheap shot.
Those two statements are the crassest, most damage-limiting that I have heard in a very long time. If he found out in March, then why is he only getting teary-eyed now?
Face facts, the only regret both of them have is that it was found out and Iris, in particular, has egg on her not-so-moral face.
Hell slap it up them – it couldn’t happen to a nicer pair.
my thoughts too pacman, they’re actually feeling sorry for him on politics.ie, they mentioned Micks comment about it been a BBC story, thinking is there is more to come, this story apparently came out when the beeb were fishing around, obvious thing is expenses.
Sounds like the BBC Spotlight investigation was not about Iris’ affair but about some sort of financial dealings by the Robinsons.
From the Robinson interview it seems that the BBC have sent them a letter in the last few days asking about this.
Iris’ statement refers to giving financial help to the unnamed individual in connection with a business venture.
I wonder what more will come out.
When is Spotlight to be broadcast?
I am gobsmacked nothing surprises me anymore.
Sorry – UTV interview.
Aldamir, its apparently all up in the air, bloke on politics.ie claims spoke with BBC today and the UTV scoop was a surprise to everyone, sounds like the
beeb might try to get something out this evening
“Well the BBC were 110% not thinking this would be released today……
I was speaking with their newsroom at 4pm and they were running around in circles trying to keep up to speed with it.
I love the way that UTV broke the story at 6pm and then all the news sites changed their sites at 6pm. Gentleman’s agreement somewhere along the line.
I’ll know more tomorrow on this in relation to what happened in the BBC newsroom”
Poor Peter the cuckold, I’d be lying if I said that I felt any sympathy for the man whatsoever, I have none for him or his mental, adulterous slut/wife.
Did he just hang Iris out to dry by insisting that there was no allegation of financial impropriety against HIM?
I love the way that UTV broke the story at 6pm and then all the news sites changed their sites at 6pm. Gentleman’s agreement somewhere along the line.
Embargoes are nearly as old as the press itself.
Comrade Stalin – how would an ‘embargo’ like that stop an independent blogger from breaking the story his or herself?