UNDER-PRESSURE DUP leader Peter Robinson resumed his role as Northern Ireland First Minister last night, raising hopes of progress in the search for a deal to save the government.
In the move, after weeks of drama at Stormont, Mr Robinson said he had been cleared of breaching his code of office in the first of a series of probes into his handling of the financial scandal about his wife, Iris.
This comes as his party was accused of being split over proposals for a deal on policing, justice and parades with Sinn Fein after two weeks of round-the-clock negotiations.
And with the DUP yesterday denying internal divisions, and the Government still searching for agreement, there is speculation that last night’s announcement may strengthen Mr Robinson’s hand.
Mr Robinson stepped down temporarily from the job on January 11, after it emerged that his wife set her teenage lover up in business while she was an MP.
