Northern Ireland’s premier has suspected heart attack
NORTHERN Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson underwent emergency treatment yesterday after a suspected heart attack.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Mr Robinson, 66, went to hospital by ambulance shortly after 9am after complaining of feeling unwell.
The father of three’s family, including his wife Iris, were understood to be at his bedside in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
Mrs Robinson sparked a scandal in 2010 when it emerged she was having an affair.
Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter: “My best wishes to Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, who is in hospital. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”
Sinn Fein’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness wrote that he was worried. He said: “Concerned to hear First Minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital.
“My thoughts and prayers are with him, Iris and family.”
Former DUP health minister Jim Wells said he could not recall Mr Robinson having a day off sick in 40 years. He said: “I have known Peter since 1975. He always struck me as being fit and healthy so it was a real surprise to hear the news.
“We hope he will be back on his feet as soon as possible.”
The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to hold a crucial debate today on welfare reform.
Mr Robinson has warned that the power- sharing institutions are in danger of collapse, because an expected Sinn Fein veto will leave a gaping hole in the budget.
The former estate agent won a Westminster seat in 1979 at the age of 30. In 1985 he was at the forefront of the pan- unionist campaign against the Anglo- Irish Agreement, which gave Dublin a role in affairs in Northern Ireland.
He temporarily stepped aside in 2010 over his wife’s affair with a teenager. It emerged Mrs Robinson had asked two property developers to lend her £ 50,000 to fund a new business for her youthful lover.
A subsequent investigation by the Assembly’s standards committee exonerated him of any blame.
A DUP spokesman said: “The First Minister felt unwell and has been admitted to hospital for further tests.” A hospital spokeswoman confirmed Mr Robinson “underwent a procedure”.