First and foremost, whatever one thinks of their fundamentalism, their politics etc.. my heart goes out to them. No one should crow over a marriage going through such difficulties and it is clear that Iris Robinson has been punished more than enough with the guilt she clearly felt.
But the financial questions are serious, and on that basis, along with the pressure they are under, I'd give Peter Robinson about a month. Northern Ireland can do without such difficulties among their leadership, esp with today's tragic news.
4 comments:
How can we say "the guilt she clearly felt is punishment enough" Paul? We don't really know how much guilt anyone feels. Or its relation to shame and embarrassment. Her reported behaviour post affair didn't seem guilty at all. More a case of penalising the lad for not being with her. And then guilt (or whatever) following discovery not events.
And punishment going forward should certainly involve losing seats as MP and MLA. And whatever legal and financial sanctions are appropriate.
We don't have much/any independent information on her health. Though it is ten months after her reported breakdown. So let's hope she's had some more support and whatever help she needs on that.
We have some pretty clear information on undeclared donations, coincidentally at least related to MP casework, and used to lend money to this young man. Were these political donations? Probably. Peter may claim otherwise.
Were they linked to planning apps etc? Hard to know but never looks right when such things coincide.
I don't really know what to think overall on this. I haven't been pushing the story particularly, though I have shall we say a strong regional interest, and despite the story being 20h old when I watched the film I learnt a lot. i.e. MSM coverage has been poor and focused on prurient details.
Tom Harris MP tweeted something earlier. I didn't particularly disagree. But I tweeted a yeah-but (they're corrupt) reply. He was back like a flash suggesting he had more feel for the difference between the political and the personal. Perhaps he's right. perhaps he's not.
But I can perfectly understanding LGBT activists in particular being pleased to see humungous hypocrisy and political corruption coming to light in the Twist Family Robinson. Who knew what as they rose to First Minister Inc?
And what really went on with Paisley Jnr over the Causeway Developer mallarkey. Being where my mum and dad and brother live. Paisley Snr having been their MP for 19 years.
I get your point and to an extent I agree with you, perhaps I should have been clear and meant personal punishment, rather than political. As for the LGBT, likewise totally understandable, but while there has been a coalition of dislike towards the Robinsons for various reasons, I would like to think that we are better than some of the Paisleyites have seem to have been over the years and not gloat over the misfortunes of ones opponents.
As I hinted I never really understood Paisley Jnr and the Causeway and other developer tie ups. There are people gloating and cheering. But the sex and hypocrisy is not the big story for me - it may be for Iris but she has different beliefs to say the least, hugely and publically judgemental making it political - it's the details of the corruption.
I was in North Antrim (Paisley Snr turf) between xmas and NY and there was an expression of contempt for many of the polis there from one local. Of the standard of mediocre local councillors but with a lot more scope. Iris cllr, MLA and MP I think? Lots of people steer well clear of party politics, any politics, because of thuggery in party machines and the long shadow of the troubles.
There are decent people involved but many who find the political class in the North untenable.
No matter her guilt, or indeed her sins, none of us is in a position to cast stones, yet the world is relishing the enjoyment of doing so - reminds me too how when you point a finger at someone, there are 3 more pointing back at you! While what she did was madness for anyone, let alone a Christian, I can't imagine how it must be to have your folly not only made glaringly public, but to know that it's being discussed worldwide. However, I appreciate the affair isn't what's really gotten her into trouble as much as her error in financial dealings but as another writer said - there's WAY more to this story than we're hearing and there will be many who've a lot to gain from putting Peter Robinson out of his position, and this is precisely the ammo they need to do it.
As a "fundamentalist" Christian myself, I know all too well how easy it is to think you couldn't possibly commit sins of this nature only to suddenly find yourself wallowing in them and justifying every move you make on top of it, so as not to feel guilty before God, and I'm only grateful (as they are) that we serve a gracious, merciful God who is quick to forgive and will forget (unlike us). We can but pray that Peter can uphold his own faith and integrity in the midst of it and that God will provide healing to them both and protect their marriage, which I suspect may be under more strain now than it was even a few days ago.
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