Peter Robinson to step down as Northern Ireland first minister | Politics | The Guardian Peter Robinson Peter Robinson to step down as Northern Ireland first minister Decision to quit as DUP leader, once deal to save power-sharing has ‘bedded in’, will pave way for a woman to lead the region for first time Peter Robinson (pictured) made the announcement in an article in the Belfast Telegraph. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Thursday 19 November 2015 06.48 EST First published on Thursday 19 November 2015 03.01 EST Close This article is 1 year old The Democratic Unionist leader, Peter Robinson , has announced his intention to step down as Northern Ireland’s first minister, paving the way for a woman to lead both unionism and the entire region for the first time. As expected, Robinson will not seek nomination as first minister following elections to the Northern Ireland assembly in May 2016. The favourite to succeed him is Arlene Foster, who has already been acting first minister twice over the last eight years. Robinson said on Thursday he was not stepping down due to health reasons and said he had made his mind up before he suffered a heart attack in May .

Northern Ireland power sharing saved Read more The former East Belfast MP has been under enormous political and personal pressure for some time. He has insisted that allegations about him over an alleged £7m bribe to enable an American investment firm to buy an Irish state-owned property portfolio in Northern Ireland are false. Robinson has also endured personal humiliation after a BBC investigative programme revealed that his wife, Iris, another former DUP MP, had been having an affair with a 19-year-old man . In a statement on Thursday, Robinson said recent achievements – including the deal two days ago that appears to have saved power-sharing government at least up until next May’s elections –convinced him that it was time to confirm the speculation about his future. The DUP also reclaimed his old East Belfast seat at this year’s general election, which Robinson had lost in the previous election to the centrist Alliance party. “I have told the party officers that I don’t intend to fight the next assembly election for a wide range of reasons and not simply because those objectives have been achieved,” he said.

“I very much take the two-term view of politics at the top.” Robinson continued: “We won back the East Belfast seat, we got more votes than in the previous election, a larger share of the vote than the previous election, more votes than all the other unionist parties put together and we were again established as the number one party in Northern Ireland. “After that I again went to the party officers and I indicated that I did not wish to stand in the next assembly election. The assembly was in a very delicate position at that stage and I was persuaded that I should remain to try and steady that ship to get some level of stability within the political process.” He added: “There are a number of fairly immediate decisions that have to be taken and they will then organise a transition. Robinson saga: Profile of Arlene Foster Read more “In the meantime I don’t want people to be focusing on issues of succession yet. When the party officers declare the process – which I guess would be at the beginning of next year – then people can start looking at who the successors should be for leader and first minister.

Let’s focus on the agreement and getting it bedded in.” Fermanagh-born Arlene Foster, who is a former Ulster Unionist who defected to the DUP , is favourite to become the party’s candidate for first minister after the elections in May 2016. A survivor of an IRA bomb attack on her school bus, the qualified barrister has been widely tipped as a future leader. Her main rival for the post – should he want it – is the Cambridge-educated North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds, who leads the DUP at Westminster. Dodds is known to prefer the cut and thrust of national politics in London and may opt to lead the DUP overall in both London and Belfast while allowing Foster to take up the first minister post in the assembly. Foster is the current acting first minister and finance minister in the four-party power-sharing coalition at Stormont. NI First Minister Peter Robinson To Step Down Weather NI First Minister Peter Robinson To Step Down The DUP leader says he will quit his job in the next few months, believing it necessary to bring in people with energy and ideas.

08:04, UK, Thursday 19 November 2015 Video: First Minister Speaks To Sky News Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson has announced he is standing down as head of the Stormont executive. The 66-year-old says he is also quitting as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He told the Belfast Telegraph that he will not contest next May's Northern Ireland Assembly elections and will step down as FM and leader of his party before then, probably after Christmas. The announcement was made on the eve of the DUP's conference. He said: "I am telling you this now, because I think it would be disrespectful to the party membership if I was to go through a conference with the pretence that I would be leading the party into the next election. "I think they have a right to know what the circumstances are." Mr Robinson was discharged from hospital in September after spending the evening there as a "precautionary measure". Before that, Finance Minister Arlene Foster had taken over as acting First Minister in the wake of a crisis over a fatal shooting which police believe was carried out by IRA members. In May, the politician spent four nights in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Mr Robinson denied that health was a reason for quitting, telling the newspaper that he made others in his party aware of his intention before he had his heart attack on 25 May. He said it was his belief that no one should stay in the job for too long. His predecessor, Ian Paisley - who left the positions in 2008 - retired when he was in his 80s. Image Caption: Ian Paisley, who was in his 80s when he retired The role was one with considerable pressures, he added. "For anyone who is not very young to go beyond two terms is stretching it," he said. "There are massive pressures on anybody in this job. "You do need to renew political leadership, bringing in people with perhaps more energy and people with new ideas." Peter Robinson Steps Down as N.I. First Minister | Irish America Peter Robinson Steps Down as N.I. First Minister Peter Robinson stands down as N.I. First Minister.

(Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX) By Frances Mulraney, Contributor December / January 2016 Peter Robinson announced he is to step down as Northern Ireland First Minister and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) just days after a new deal was struck to break a months’ long political deadlock in Stormont late November. Robinson, 67, told Northern Ireland newspaper the Belfast Telegraph that he will not contest next May’s assembly elections and will step aside as leader, most likely just after Christmas, ending over 40 years in politics. “I am telling you this now, because I think it would be disrespectful to the party membership if I was to go through a conference with the pretense that I would be leading the party into the next election. I think they have a right to know what the circumstances are,” he said.

Leader of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams extended his best wishes to the First Minister and said it would not affect his party’s relationship with the DUP: “Sinn Féin will continue to work with the DUP and Peter’s successor and with the other political parties as part of the effort to deliver on the recent agreement and to resolve outstanding issues from other agreements.” Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness commented on his good relationship with Robinson despite their political differences: “We have had a close and professional working relationship and, despite media perception, it has always been courteous and amicable,” he said. In May 2015, Robinson suffered a heart attack, and, though he denies that his health is the reason for his decision, he admitted that the lifestyle he leads in his current roles does not allow him to follow the medical advice given to him after the attack. Robinson joked that he may become a journalist when he retires. He intends to stay in Northern Ireland. ♦ _______________ This article has been abbreviated from the original , published on IrishCentral.

Leave a Reply Peter Robinson to stand down as Northern Ireland First Minister | IrishCentral.com Peter Robinson to stand down as Northern Ireland First Minister Frances Mulraney SHARES / Peter Robinson revealed he will step down as DUP leader some time after Christmas.Photocall Hutton / Photocall Ireland Peter Robinson announced he is to step down as Northern Ireland First Minister and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) just days after a new deal was struck to break a months’ long political deadlock in Stormont (Northern Ireland government). Robinson, 67, told Northern Ireland newspaper the Belfast Telegraph that he will not contest next May’s assembly elections and will step aside as leader in the coming weeks, most likely just after Christmas, ending over 40 years in politics. Speaking to the paper before the DUP conference this Saturday, Robinson said, "I am telling you this now, because I think it would be disrespectful to the party membership if I was to go through a conference with the pretense that I would be leading the party into the next election.

I think they have a right to know what the circumstances are." He states that he has achieved all of his goals as DUP leader and, as he believes in a two-term maximum for those in the top political roles, it is time for him to step aside. “There are massive pressures on anybody in this job. You do need to renew political leadership, bringing in people with perhaps more energy and people with new ideas," he said. Peter Robinson in 1979, rocking shades on a cloudy day. Mark our words; this young man won't be power-sharing... — BBC Archive (@BBCArchive) November 19, 2015 Leader of Sinn Féin Gerry Adams extended his best wishes to the First Minister: “Sinn Féin and the DUP worked closely in recent months through a difficult negotiation to achieve Tuesday’s Stormont House Agreement . “Sinn Féin will continue to work with the DUP and Peter’s successor and with the other political parties as part of the effort to deliver on the recent agreement and to resolve outstanding issues from other agreements.” Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness followed Adams’ words in a statement that commented on his goo working relationship with Robinson despite their political differences.

"I have worked closely with Peter Robinson in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister since June 2008,” he said. "During that time we have had a close and professional working relationship and, despite media perception, it has always been courteous and amicable.” 2 Martin McGuinness and Peter Robinson. Image: Mark Stedman / Photocall Ireland. NI First Minister Peter Robinson says his resignation isn't linked to his health - but he will look after himself — Sky News (@SkyNews) November 19, 2015 In May 2015, Robinson suffered a heart attack , and, though he denies that his health is the reason for his decision, he admitted that the lifestyle he leads in his current roles does not allow him to follow the medical advice given to him after the attack. “While I was lying horizontal in hospital I got all sorts of advice and lectures on what I should be eating and looking after myself, in terms of sleeping more than I allow myself at the present time. I was advised to avoid pressure and get more exercise.

For at least a fortnight I kept all of those rigidly, but it is remarkable how soon you slip back into all those old bad habits with this kind of job." First elected to Westminster as an MP for East Belfast in 1979, Robinson became DUP deputy leader the following year. He became leader of the DUP and First Minister in 2008, succeeding Ian Paisley. NI First Minister Peter Robinson says his resignation isn't linked to his health - but he will look after himself — Sky News (@SkyNews) November 19, 2015 He revealed that this is the third time he suggested stepping down to party officers, the first time coming in 2011 not long after losing his seat as an MP in 2010 and the mental breakdown of his wife, and the second just after the General Election last May. Although the party officers accepted his third offer, they have requested that he remain in office for the coming weeks to oversee the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement announced on Tuesday by Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers and Republic of Ireland Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan.

“ A Fresh Start for Northern Ireland ,” achieved after talks overseen by Villiers and Flanagan that lasted 10 weeks and more than 150 sessions, will implement many aspects of the previously failed Stormont House Agreement, addressing concerns over the continued existence of paramilitary groups, as well as establishing a cross-border agency to deal with organized crime, border crime and smuggling and allowing for a full devolution of corporate tax power by 2018, reducing the rate of tax in Northern Ireland to 12.5 percent, the same rate as the Republic. Today, Robinson is set to reveal more about the Fresh Start deal and the talks. He also suggested that his successor as DUP party leader would not necessarily take on the role of First Minister but that the positions may be spilt in the future. The offices of Deputy First Minister and leader of Sinn Féin are separated in this manner with Martin McGuinness in the role of Deputy First Minister, while Gerry Adams is party leader. The Belfast Telegraph suggests that current Finance Minister Arlene Foster will take on the role of First Minister while Nigel Dodds will lead the party once Robinson leaves the role.

Foster was the only DUP Minister to remain in September when Robinson and the rest of the DUP Ministers resigned in protest over claims that paramilitaries were still active in Northern Ireland, stating they couldn’t continue in power with Sinn Fein if this was true. Peter Robinson's advice for his successor when he quits as DUP leader & First Minister of NI pic.twitter.com/GHM19YHdMn Robinson to step down as Northern Ireland's First Minister - ITV News 19 November 2015 at 7:46am Robinson to step down as Northern Ireland's First Minister Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson has announced in a newspaper his intention to step down as Northern Ireland's First Minister. Mr Robinson's article in the Belfast Telegraph, written ahead of his party's conference, confirmed he will not contest next May's Assembly election and is likely leave office in the coming weeks. The announcement came two days after a deal was struck to salvage Stormont's crisis-hit power-sharing administration following 10 weeks of negotiations over a range of disputes, including the fallout from a murder linked to the IRA. Peter Robinson, who suffered a heart attack earlier this year, has confirmed will not contest his seat at next May's Assembly election.

Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Mr Robinson had stepped down in September at the height of the political crisis, but returned as First Minister last month after a Government-ordered report into paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland was published. Writing in the Belfast Telegraph on his decision to permanently step down, Mr Robinson said: "I think it would be disrespectful to the party membership if I was to go through a conference with the pretence that I would be leading the party into the next election." Westminster-based North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds will be among the favourites to take over as DUP leader, though another senior party figure may take on the role of Stormont First Minister. Current Finance Minister Arlene Foster has been touted as a potential leader of the coalition. N.Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson to step down N.Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson to step down Pin it Share Peter Robinson will step down as Northern Ireland's First Minister and as leader of his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) More Peter Robinson will step down as Northern Ireland's First Minister and as leader of his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) following months of political turmoil and ill health, he announced Thursday.

Robinson, 66, told the Belfast Telegraph that he will not contest next May's Assembly election and that he would likely leave his posts within weeks. The unionist politician was hospitalised in May after suffering a heart attack. He quit temporarily in September following a row with rivals Sinn Fein after one of the republican party's senior members was arrested in connection with the murder of a former Irish Republican Army (IRA) gunman. The power-sharing government was pulled back from the brink of collapse Tuesday by a deal struck after 10 weeks of deadlock. The new agreement features a string of measures aimed at easing suspicions about the ongoing role of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland while boosting its economy. Robinson was expected to reveal his resignation at this weekend's DUP conference, but brought forward the announcement. "I think it would be disrespectful to the party membership if I was to go through a conference with the pretence that I would be leading the party into the next election," he said. "When the party officers declare the process -- which I guess would be at the beginning of next year -- then people can start looking at who the successors should be for leader and First Minister," he told the newspaper.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds is the early favourite to take over as DUP leader. Reblog First Minister Peter Robinson Steps Down | Northern Ireland News, 11/09/2015 11/09/2015 First Minister Peter Robinson Steps Down Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson has announced he will "step aside" from his role and his colleague Arlene Foster will take over as temporary First Minister. The majority of his ministers have also resigned. He made the announcement after his bid to have the Stormont assembly adjourned was rejected in the wake of a murder linked to the IRA. Three senior republicans were arrested in connection with the murder on Wednesday, including Sinn Féin's chairman Bobby Storey, however they have been released unconditionally. Mr Robinson said recent developments in the case had "pushed devolution to the brink". Prime Minister David Cameron said he is "gravely concerned" and has spoken to Peter Robinson. SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said the risks has been created by the failings of Sinn Féin and the DUP. He said: "Together they have damaged confidence, the institutions, good government and the fundamental values of the Good Friday Agreement.

"The SDLP are not in the business of giving cover for or working to DUP or Sinn Fein agendas. We are in the business of defending and delivering upon the promise of the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring that these institutions work for the good of our people. We will continue to stand up for these institutions. It is disgraceful that others would seek to jeopardise them. But that is their decision and they must be held responsible for it." Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, said he regrets the decision of the DUP. Mr Flanagan said: "What we want is for the devolved power-sharing Executive and Assembly to work as envisaged in the Good Friday Agreement and deliver peace, prosperity and reconciliation for the people of Northern Ireland." He concluded: "I encourage all parties to reflect carefully. The Secretary of State and I will be here in Stormont House on Monday morning and I invite the parties to join us for discussions on how we find a way through the current serious impasse. We will of course remain available to the parties over the weekend." (CD) Related Northern Ireland News Stories Click here for the latest headlines.

17 January 2017 RHI Scandal: DUP Rejects Claims Made By Jonathan Bell Former DUP MLA Jonathan Bell claims he was prevented from challenging the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme because two special advisers have "extensive interest" in the poultry industry. Mr Bell was speaking in the Assembly on Monday, 16 January. He was recently suspended by the DUP for speaking to the media about the RHI scheme. 18 October 2010 Politicians Help 'Kick Hate Into Touch' An innovative campaign, the 'Unite Against Hate' sporting weekend has been launched. Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and his Junior Minister Gerry Kelly (pictured) joined forces to support the campaign which highlights all forms of hate crime and challenges people here to unite to stop it. 30 November 2009 Cowen And Brown Hold Justice Talks Ireland's prime minister has flown to London in a bid to break the continued deadlock over the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Brian Cowen will meet with UK counterpart Gordon Brown in Downing Street later, amid mounting conflict between the province's two largest political parties.

04 June 2008 The newly elected DUP Leader and the Prime Minister have held crisis talks aimed at avoiding a political crisis in Northern Ireland. 27 January 2004 Unionists are uniting around the DUP, claims Iris Robinson The DUP has responded to a call for unionist unity by UUP MLA David McNarry claiming that unionism is uniting - around the DUP. Strangford DUP MLA Iris Robinson said: "Unionists are uniting around the position and policies of the Democratic Unionist Party. 09 February 2010 Justice Minister And Parading Talks Open Northern Ireland's political leaders met at Stormont this morning to discuss nominations for the position of Justice Minister. Nominations for the post officially opened yesterday, however a scheduled meeting between party leaders was postponed to allow the province's MPs to participate in a Commons discussion. 07 December 2009 'Publish Justice Letter', Says McGuinness Martin McGuinness has challenged Peter Robinson to publish a letter his party reportedly sent to Downing Street outlining policing and justice 'preconditions'. The Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister's call came after Mr Robinson insisted devolution is not about equality, but what is best for Northern Ireland.

09 September 2009 New Stormont Clashes Sinn Fein has criticised a speech by Peter Robinson, outlining proposed changes to Assembly voting rules. Mr Robinson called for an end to vetoes, which can be exercised by either nationalist or unionist parties. Vetoes allow larger parties in the Assembly to block policies or legislation they dispute. 05 June 2008 This week's offer by the Prime Minister to chair talks with NI's First and Deputy First Ministers at Downing Street on Friday has clinched a deal over Peter Robinson's appointment as First Minister today. 08 October 2010 The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson (pictured) has called for the number of MLAs and government departments to be reduced after the Assembly election. 14 October 2009 Robinson 'Wants More' On Devolution Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has said that he is looking for further 'clarification' from Prime Minister Gordon Brown about funding for the devolution of responsibility for policing and justice. Sinn Féin have accepted the deal but the DUP wants to go further.

19 August 2013 DUP Maze Decision A 'Mistake' - McGuinness Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said a DUP decision not to support a peace and conflict resolution centre at the former Maze prison site is a "mistake". The centre was planned as part of a £300m redevelopment of the site, which had previously secured the support of the First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson. 19 November 2015 NI First Minister Peter Robinson To Step Down Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson and DUP leader Peter Robinson is to step down in the New Year. Mr Robinson told the Belfast Telegraph he will not contest May's Assembly election and will probably resign from his post after Christmas. 17 November 2016 Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann is to stand down. She confirmed she is to take up the a new post as the party's advisor to the Health Minister. Ms McCann has been an MLA since 2007. 02 July 2015 The First Minister has accused Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams of being "delusional". Peter Robinson added that Northern Ireland deserves better than "pathetic posturing and specious spinning".

Northern Ireland Weather Today: A cloudy but mainly dry morning for many. However brighter conditions and some sunny spells developing in the west during the afternoon, these edging eastwards later in the day. Light southeasterly winds. Maximum Temperature 8 °C. Tonight: Skies continuing to clear across all parts which will allow some frost and fog patches to form with light winds. Minimum Temperature -1 °C. Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson resigns in wake of IRA murder | Politics | News | Daily Express POLITICS Northern Ireland in political turmoil as First Minister Peter Robinson QUITS THE future of Northern Ireland's devolved government was thrown into doubt this evening after the country's First Minister, Peter Robinson, announced he was to step down. 17:40, Thu, Sep 10, 2015 | UPDATED: 19:24, Thu, Sep 10, 2015 PA First Minister Peter Robinson at Stormont, Belfast His resignation, which will be followed by the majority of his Democratic Unionist ministers, comes amid a crisis in the wake of an IRA-linked murder.

Mr Robinson had warned that his ministers would step aside if the Stormont Assembly was not adjourned following a vote by its members or, failing that, if the British Government did not step in and suspend its work. The DUP wanted all business brought to a halt to allow crunch talks over the political consequences of the murder of Kevin McGuigan. Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists voted against the proposal. The resignations will not bring an immediate collapse of the Assembly institutions, but the developments leave power sharing at Stormont hanging by a thread. Party colleague Arlene Foster is to take over as acting First Minister. PA First Minister Peter Robinson at Stormont, Belfast, watched by Arlene Foster on the far right Mr Robinson issued the ultimatum yesterday following the arrest of three leading republicans, including Sinn Fein's northern chairman Bobby Storey, over the fatal shooting of former IRA man Mr McGuigan. All three men remain in custody. Police have said current members of the IRA were involved in last month's shooting of Mr McGuigan in a suspected revenge attack for the murder of former IRA commander Gerard "Jock" Davison in Belfast three months earlier.

Related articles Stormont vow over peaceful future Announcing his departure, Mr Robinson said: "In light of the decision by republicans, nationalists and the UUP to continue with business as usual in the Assembly, I am therefore standing aside as First Minister and other DUP ministers will resign with immediate effect with the exception of Arlene Foster. "I have asked Arlene to remain in post as Finance Minister and acting First Minister to ensure that nationalists and republicans are not able to take financial and other decisions that may be detrimental to Northern Ireland." PA The SDLP and their leader Alasdair McDonnell in the Great Hall of Stormont Prime Minister David Cameron is said to be "gravely concerned" about the situation and a Downing Street spokeswoman said he was phoning Mr Robinson and Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers to discuss the situation. Mr Cameron's official spokeswoman added: "We want to see all politicians in Northern Ireland working together to build a better future for the country and working to fulfil its great potential.

"We have been encouraging talks between the parties so they can work through their issues." Most read in UK Peter Robinson: Timeline of NI first minister and DUP leader's life - BBC News BBC News Peter Robinson: Timeline of NI first minister and DUP leader's life 21 November 2015 Read more about sharing. Close share panel Peter Robinson announced this week that he is to step down as first minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). On Saturday, he will make his final annual leader's speech to the party he helped to found more than 40 years ago. As he takes to the podium, BBC News NI looks back at his long and eventful career. Image copyright PAcemaker Image caption Peter and Iris Robinson, pictured outside their east Belfast home in 1989 29 December 1948: Mr Robinson is born in Belfast. He is educated at the city's Annadale Grammar school and later at what is now Belfast Metropolitan College. 1970: Mr Robinson marries Iris Collins, a partnership that would later take on political as well as personal significance, when the two later became a husband and wife team at Westminster.

They go on to have three children together, two boys and one girl. 30 September 1971: Mr Robinson becomes one of the founder members of the Democratic Unionist Party, having being spurred on to enter politics following the death of a school friend, Harry Beggs, killed that year in an IRA bombing at the Northern Ireland Electricity headquarters. 1975: An estate agent by profession, he leaves his job to become the DUP's first general secretary. Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson with his long-time mentor Ian Paisley at a protest in Belfast in 1981 Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson and Ian Paisley promoted their Ulster Says No message in protest at the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement 3 May 1979: In the general election, he is elected as MP for East Belfast for the first time. He beats the Ulster Unionist Party candidate William Craig by just 64 votes . 1980: Mr Robinson begins a long stint as deputy leader of the DUP behind Ian Paisley. 1982: He is elected to the re-established Northern Ireland Assembly, serving until its dissolution four years later.

9 June 1983: He increases his majority at Westminster in the general election to 7,989. 17 December 1985: Mr Robinson is one of 15 unionist MPs to resign their seats and force by-elections in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement, which gives the Republic of Ireland a consultative role in Northern Ireland. 23 January 1986: Mr Robinson increases his majority to 21,690 in a by-election . Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Iris Robinson followed her husband into politics and both served as MPs, MLAs and councillors 7 August 1986: Mr Robinson marches with a group of loyalists into the County Monaghan village of Clontibret, in protest against what he claimed were inadequate security measures along the Irish border, following Margaret Thatcher's signing of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement. Later that year, Mr Robinson was photographed wearing a beret at a rally of the paramilitary Ulster Resistance movement.

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson was brought to court in the Republic of Ireland in 1986 after leading an "incursion" into the border village of Clontibret in protest against the Anglo-Irish Agreement Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Mr Robinson was photographed wearing a beret at a rally of the paramilitary Ulster Resistance movement 16 January 1987: Mr Robinson pleaded guilty in a Dublin court to unlawful assembly in Clontibret . He paid £17,500 in fines and compensation and is freed. Image copyright PAcemaker Image caption Mr Robinson, pictured after his first court appearance over the Clontibret affair 2 July 1987: He is an author of a report published by the Unionist Task Force which explored an alternative to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Frank Millar, General Secretary of Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is a co-author. Both resigned from their positions after the two party leaders fail to respond to the report. Mr Robinson returned to his position later.

Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson's relationship with his late mentor Ian Paisley has been described as one of the longest apprenticeships in UK politics April 1998: Together with the rest of the DUP, Mr Robinson campaigns against the Good Friday Agreement , citing their opposition to aspects like the release of paramilitary prisoners. November 1999: Mr Robinson takes office as minister for regional development. While he refuses to attend Stormont Executive meetings, he impressed his civil servants with his grasp of the detail of his brief. He claimed credit, amongst other things, for introducing free travel for the elderly. 5 July 2000: Mr Robinson and social affairs minister Nigel Dodds resign , following the anti-agreement party's failure to win sufficient support for a motion to remove Sinn Féin from the power-sharing executive. 8 June 2001: Iris Robinson is elected as an MP for Strangford, and the couple becomes the first husband and wife team to represent Northern Ireland in parliament.

Image copyright PA Image caption Peter Robinson was a founding member of the DUP who went on to lead his party in government 2006: Mr Robinson is instrumental in the drafting of the St Andrew's Agreement, and his party's decision to enter government with Sinn Féin is a huge shift in DUP policy. 16 April 2007: After the restoration of devolution, he took the finance ministry and helped make revitalising the local economy the main theme of the new Stormont Executive's programme for government. 5 June 2008: Peter Robinson becomes Northern Ireland's first minister and DUP leader. He takes over both positions from the 82-year-old Ian Paisley, who had stood down in May. Image copyright Pacemaker 30 December 2009: Iris Robinson announces she is quitting politics , revealing that she is battling mental illness. Mrs Robinson steps down from her roles as an MP, an assembly member and a councillor. "The stress and strain of public life comes at a cost and my health has suffered," she said. 5 January 2010: After months of investigating, BBC Northern Ireland's Spotlight programme puts a series of questions to Peter Robinson about his wife's financial affairs.

6 January 2010: Peter Robinson says his wife tried to kill herself while suffering depression after she had an affair. In a series of televised interviews , he says first learned of the affair on the night Mrs Robinson attempted suicide. He said he had forgiven Iris and that they would attempt to save their marriage. He insisted the revelations would not undermine his role as first minister. 7 January 2010: Allegations about Iris Robinson's financial affairs are broadcast BBC Northern Ireland current affairs programme Spotlight. 11 January 2010: Mr Robinson announces he is temporarily standing down as first minister , and is replaced by party colleague Arlene Foster. 4 February 2010: He resumes his role less than a month later. 30 March 2010: A BBC investigation reveals that Mr Robinson bought a valuable piece of land from a developer for £5. The deal enabled Mr Robinson to sell part of his back garden for more than £500,000. 2 April 2010: Mr Robinson responds to the BBC story and denies that he did anything wrong when he bought a piece of land next to his home from a developer for £5.

He tells the BBC that the sum paid to Fred Fraser was "nominal" because the land was "useless" to the developer. Image copyright AP Image caption Peter Robinson loses his East Belfast seat to the Alliance Party's Naomi Long 7 May 2010: Mr Robinson loses the Westminster seat he had held for more than 30 years to Naomi Long of the Alliance Party. 6 April 2011: He became the first DUP leader to attend a Catholic Mass, as a mourner at the funeral of murdered police officer, Ronan Kerr . 24 June 2011: Mr Robinson announced plans to reach out to Catholic voters. 30 January 2012: He attends his first Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) match with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson attended his first GAA march in 2012, alongside Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness (left) 27 June 2012: Mr Robinson stood alongside Mr McGuinness when the Sinn Fein MLA shook hands with the Queen for the first time.

Mr Robinson said : "We recognise that this will be a difficult ask for Her Majesty The Queen and a significant step for republicans." Image copyright PA Image caption Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness met the Queen for the first time in June 2012 22 May 2013: Mr Robinson holds a Stormont meeting with PIMCO , a California-based global investment company interested in buying the National Assets Management Agency's (Nama) Northern Ireland loan portfolio. 20 January 2014: In a BBC programme, former DUP leader Ian Paisley and his family are scathing about the current party leadership . The DUP says many colleagues felt "hurt by untrue and bitter comments contained in the documentary". Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption Peter Robinson and Ian Paisley marched together at a political rally at Stormont in 1981 3 June 2014: Mr Robinson met with Muslim community leaders and made a public apology for comments he made defending a pastor who called Islam "heathen" and "satanic".

28 November 2014: A report by the Committee on Standards and Privileges on BBC Spotlight's 2010 investigation into his wife's financial relationship with a teenage cafe owner finds Mr Robinson did not breach the Northern Ireland Assembly's code of conduct. 8 May 2015: Gavin Robinson wins East Belfast for the DUP , the Westminster seat that the Alliance Party's Naomi Long had taken from Peter Robinson in 2010. Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption First Minister Peter Robinson supported Gavin Robinson in the DUP's successful bid to win back the East Belfast seat in the 2015 general election Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption By 2011, a resurgent Peter Robinson was celebrating DUP success in the Northern Ireland Assembly elections 26 May 2015: Mr Robinson is treated in hospital for a heart attack . He returns to work several days later , saying his health issues were nothing to do with the stress of his job, but blamed his diet and lack of exercise. 10 September 2015: Mr Robinson and all but one of his DUP colleagues step aside as a result of the political crisis in the Stormont .

The crisis was sparked by the murder of ex-IRA man Kevin McGuigan in August 2015. 14 October 2015: Mr Robinson appeared before a parliamentary inquiry investigating whether he benefited from a £1.24bn property deal. The deal concerned the Republic of Ireland's state-owned back National Asset Management Agency (Nama). Mr Robinson denied suggestions he would benefit financially from Nama deal and said he held meetings with interested buyers "in the best interests of the economy". He contested claims that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was kept in the dark about the deal. Image caption Mr Robinson said he "neither received, expected to receive, sought, nor was I offered a single penny" as a result of the sale 20 October 2015: Mr Robinson resumed his post as first minister after an official assessment of paramilitary activity was published. 5 November 2015: Belfast businessman Peter Curistan lodged a complaint to the PSNI about Mr Robinson, calling for an investigation into remarks made under parliamentary privilege nine years earlier. The comments alleged Mr Curistan was linked with "IRA dirty money".

In a statement to the BBC responding to the complaint, Mr Robinson said: "The police may have to waste their time with this but I do not." 18 November 2015: A deal is reached between the the DUP, Sinn Féin and the British and Irish governments to resolve a serious of problems that had threatened the future of devolution at Stormont. The agreement, called 'A Fresh Start' includes a way forward on paramilitarism and welfare reform, but controversially, it does not address how to deal with the legacy of the Troubles. 20 November 2015: Mr Robinson announces he is to step down as Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader within weeks. He tells the BBC the latest political deal had "stabilised" Stormont and now seems the "appropriate time" to quit

Question: Peter Robinson announced in 2015 he would step down as First Minister of?
Answer: Northern Ireland