CASTEREAGH BOROUGH Council last night unanimously voted to carry out an independent investigation into whether there was any “impropriety” arising from the awarding of the lease to the Lock Keeper’s Inn in south Belfast to Kirk McCambley, former lover of Iris Robinson.
The DUP-dominated council, which covers areas of east and south Belfast and part of Ms Robinson’s former Strangford constituency, last night decided on the draft terms of reference for the investigation.
It was announced towards the start of the meeting that Ms Robinson has formally resigned as a member of the council. The speaker of the House of Commons also yesterday announced that she stood down as MP for Strangford.
It was also formally announced by a Stormont spokeswoman last night that Ms Robinson has resigned as an MLA for Strangford. The three announcements formally marked the end to what had been a very successful career.
Ms Robinson is being treated for mental illness following last year’s suicide attempt after her family discovered her affair with the then 19-year-old Mr McCambley. That illness, according to her family, has been exacerbated by recent disclosures about her illness and attempt to take her life.
DUP MLA and council member Jimmy Spratt last night said that his party wanted to be “open and transparent” around the awarding of the contract by the council to Mr McCambley and fully supported the independent inquiry.
Gareth Robinson, son of Peter and Iris Robinson, also a council member, did not attend last night’s meeting. Apologies were sent on his behalf. Peter Robinson stood down three years ago from the Castlereagh council, often described as a “Robinson fiefdom”.
The investigation will examine whether the council suffered any financial loss as a result of Mr McCambley getting the lease; whether there was any impropriety in the awarding of the contract; whether local government legislation was complied with in the awarding of the lease; and what recommendations should be made following from the inquiry.
It was also agreed the investigators could revise the draft terms if they felt this was necessary.
At first Alliance member Michael Long expressed concern about the terms because he felt it would not allow the inquiry to widen its scope “if they felt this was appropriate”. It was important that public confidence be restored, he added.
Mr Long accepted the terms when he was assured the investigators could do this under the term of reference allowing for the investigation to be revised.
Ulster Unionist member Michael Henderson said it was important the inquiry was independent and that the terms of reference were adequate.
The council, after agreeing the terms of reference, went into committee – press and public excluded – to decide who should carry out the investigation. The firm’s name will not be disclosed until it has agreed to carry out the work. Mr Spratt said the investigators were not only of “national standing but of international standing”.