Mrs. Robinson's affair with teen rocks N Ireland

[Ghost in the Machine]

Mrs. Robinson's affair with teen rocks NIreland
Posted: Jan 08, 2010 4:11 PM EST
Updated: Jan 08, 2010 4:11 PM EST
By DAVID MORGAN
Associated Press Writer


BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) - A political scandal riveting Northern Ireland has a certain cinematic feel: an affair by 58-year-old woman named Mrs. Robinson with a 19-year-old male lover.

Five separate Facebook groups with hundreds of followers have sprung up, lampooning the affair and comparing it to the 1967 film, "The Graduate."

But there is a serious side to the story of Iris Robinson, who also happens to be a member of Parliament and the wife of Peter Robinson - Northern Ireland's government leader.

The BBC reported that Iris Robinson allegedly solicited 50,000 pounds ($80,000) from businessmen so her young lover could open a restaurant - without disclosing the fact to lawmakers.

Iris Robinson has said she would not seek re-election because she was suffering clinical depression that left her unable to function in public life and revealed that she attempted suicide. She also begged forgiveness from her husband, Peter, and the public.

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11792059

[Odin2005]

1. Hmmm, reminds me of a certain 60s pop song...

[joeybee12]

2. Here's to you Mrs. Robinson....

I don't approve of the fraud, but if you can nab a 19-year-old....

[virgogal]

3. Dontcha love it? Another juicy scandal.

[pissedoff01]

4. Pics of Mrs Robinson:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/20/iris-robinson-homosexuality-complaints
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/police-probe-over-iris-robinsons-gay-remarks-14090262.html

[denem]

5. "Most of all you've got to hide it from the kids"

(We'd like to know a little bit about you for a files)

Ca Coo CaChoo Mrs Robinson!

[Happyhippychick]

6. Sounds cougar-licious

[denem]

8. She been very worried about young men being homosexual.

Doing her bit for the cause I guess.

Ca Coo Cachoo Mrs Robinson.

[malaise]

7. Another link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7412811

[Ignis]

9. Grimly amusing. For those who don't know...

Mr. Robinson succeeded the lovely and charming :puke: Rev. Ian Paisley.

And Mrs. Robinson herself is a bit of a raging homophobe:

Even before the scandal, Iris Robinson had caused her husband political problems when she condemned homosexuals as revolting and called on them to seek help from psychiatrists and Christianity.

"Just as a murderer can be redeemed by the blood of Christ, so can a homosexual," she said.

Presumably, the blood of Christ also washes away affairs with younger men. ;)

[mrbarber]

11. Another hypocritical homophobe?

Who'd have thunk it?

[Strelnikov_]

10. “there can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, . . .

than sexually abusing innocent child"

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/police-probe-over-iris-robinsons-gay-remarks-14090262.html

Real piece of work there.

Sounds like it's coming round.

[Ignis]

12. Ah, delicious irony!

"Kirk McCambley becomes instant gay pin-up"

Iris Robinson’s young lover Kirk McCambley has become an unlikely icon for the gay community.
...
The UK’s best-selling gay magazine Attitude has asked the 21-year-old to pose on the next edition of its front cover.
...
Mr McCambley has also attracted thousands of fans on Facebook thanks to the Kirk McCambley Appreciation Society. Set up on Thursday, it already has more than 3,629 members.

-- http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/kirk-mccambley--becomes-instant-gay-pinup-14629029.html

[classysassy]

13. Senator Ensign

do the right thing,do as Mrs Robinson has done,give it up the clown.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Iris Robinson 'to step down as MP and MLA next week'

The wife of the NI First Minister is to stand down as an MP and MLA as pressure mounts on Peter Robinson to explain his involvement in her financial dealings.

A DUP source said Iris Robinson could leave both posts as soon as next week.
...
It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace Mrs Robinson as an MLA as soon as possible.

There will not be a by-election for her Westminster seat because a general election is likely to be held before a formal writ can be moved.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8449953.stm

She wasn't going to stand in the general election anyway; but at least this means she won't get the salary between now and the election (May or June, probably).