DUP leader Peter Robinson released from hospital

DUP leader Peter Robinson (66) has been released from the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, after being admitted on Saturday evening.

The DUP in a statement said: “Mr Robinson had a reaction to some medication and was admitted as a precautionary measure”.

A spokesman for the hospital confirmed he was admitted as a “precautionary measure” and that he was “comfortable and doing well”.

Mr Robinson stepped aside as first minister in recent weeks.

He has been under considerable pressure in recent months as he has sought to deal with the political crisis caused by the police assessment that the IRA still exists and that some of its members were involved in the murder last month of Belfast republican Kevin McGuigan although acting without the authority of the IRA leadership.

Mr Robinson suffered a heart attack in May but after treatment was back in work in just over a week. He blamed his illness on his diet and lack of exercise.

“I blame myself and nobody else but myself,” he said shortly after that illness. “The last emails that I was sending were at about four minutes to four in the morning and my men were timed to come at 7.30 to pick me up on that Monday morning, even though it was a bank holiday,” he said.

“If you looked at my diet you would cringe. It’s all around snacking and fast foods and all the things that you shouldn’t do. Exercise? You’re picked up from the door and dropped at the door, so it’s all the worst lifestyle things,” he said.

Roundtable talks aimed at solving the current political crisis are due to begin at Stormont House on Monday.

A DUP spokesman confirmed Mr Robinson would be fit enough to attend crucial talks on Monday.

“Mr Robinson was discharged from the Royal Victoria Hospital earlier this evening. The DUP leader will be at Stormont tomorrow morning where he will meet party colleagues regarding the talks process.

“Mr Robinson expresses his gratitude to the medical staff who treated him so professionally during his short stay in hospital and the ambulance staff who were the first responders.”

McGuinness concerned

The Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness tweeted that he was “concerned” that Mr Robinson was admitted to hospital.

He added that he was pleased that he was “comfortable and doing well” and looked forward to his recovery.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt also wished Mr Robinson a speedy recovery.

“It is concerning to hear that Peter has been admitted to hospital. I hope that it is not serious and that he will be back on his feet again as soon as possible,” he said.

The talks will be hosted by Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan.

Ahead of the talks, Ms Villiers urged parties to embrace the spirit of compromise.

“I recognise the scale of the task ahead. We are dealing with very difficult issues. But Northern Ireland’s political leaders have achieved great things over the past 20 years working together. That same spirit needs to be brought into these talks,” she said.

“We must not let this opportunity to build a brighter, more secure future for Northern Ireland slip away,” added Ms Villiers.

Additional reporting: PA