BBC News NI political correspondent
BBCThe former DUP leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, has spoken for the first time of his wife Iris’ battle with cancer.
He revealed she had faced “ups and downs” in recent years, which he said had contributed to delays in the unveiling of his official portrait at Stormont.
The unveiling took place at Stormont on Tuesday, with a special event marking the 76-year-old’s contribution to politics.
Robinson said his wife had shown “remarkable courage and tenacity” in dealing with her illness.
PA MediaRobinson was DUP leader and first minister from 2008 until 2015.
His wife Iris was also a former DUP MLA and MP but resigned following a financial and marital scandal in 2010.
She has largely stayed out of attending frontline political events in the 15 years since then.
Among those who attended Tuesday’s event were Robinson’s children, the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and other Stormont politicians.
The portrait was done by artist Carol Graham who also commissioned the painting of former Speaker Lord Alderdice.
PacemakerThe current Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots also paid tribute to Robinson, saying it was “no coincidence” that the longest period of political stability happened during Robinson’s time in office.
“Peter and his skills ensured this assembly didn’t have the interruptions that happened previously or afterwards,” he said, adding that he felt the institutions were in a “better position” now than they had been for some time.
‘Critics in the cheap seats’
PacemakerRobinson also hit out at those who he called “critics in the cheap seats”, or those who would seek to abuse politicians on social media.
“I salute those who have stood up to intimidation but nonetheless it has an impact and discourages people from coming forward for public service,” he added.
He said it seemed “disproportionately directed” towards women.
Robinson ended his remarks by saying that there were “boundless opportunities” to improve the lives of people in Northern Ireland.
“We have something very special – for those who haven’t lived through dark days we now have people living in a shared society, with so much work yet to be done.”
