Robinson anger at 'witch hunt'
DUP MP Iris Robinson has revealed she came close to walking away from politics during the row over MPs' expenses.
The Strangford MP and her husband, First Minister Peter Robinson, were branded the "swish family Robinson" after claims they were receiving 571,939.41 a year in various salaries and expenses, with a further 150,000 in salaries being paid to four of the couple's family members.
Speaking to the News Letter, Mrs Robinson said: "It was just a witch hunt. I think I came close to walking away at that time.
The Big Interview: Iris Robinson
"When you saw all of this media frenzy, and all of it totally wrong in most cases, you almost felt a powerlessness. It was almost like a trial by the media. Part of me wanted to take legal action, but I didn't. I just felt that if people know me and know what I am about, they'll see that as all nonsense.''
She added: "The media often add Peter and my salaries together, plus our travel, plus the salaries paid out to staff. We don't touch any of that money, other than our salary.
"We get the same salary (64,766) as every other MP. No money goes into my pocket, other than my salary, and out of my salary I have to pay a housekeeper because I have no time to do my own work; I pay someone to iron because I have no time. I am full-time committed to what I do.''
And Mrs Robinson vigorously defended herself and her husband after it was revealed they had claimed more than 30,000 worth of food on expenses over recent years.
"If I was at home I would have the food in my own home, but when I go to London I don't. What are we to do, are we to say no to the allowance that we are given or not?" she said.
"I would defy anyone who would be in the same situation as me to say that they wouldn't take it. That's an entitlement because I am outside my own Province.''
The leaked expenses material – reported by the Daily Telegraph – also included details of more than 2,000 per month being claimed in mortgage costs for an apartment owned by the couple in London. The newspaper further stated that they each submitted the same 1,223 bill for payment in 2007.
Mr Robinson described this as an "innocent error" which he said was "happily" halted in the Commons Fees Office. The claim was for six months' worth of service charges for their Thames-side flat. He has also stated that all of the payments made to him and his wife were "legitimately claimed".
MPs who share London properties, including husband and wife teams like the Robinsons, are entitled to each claim the full second home allowance. This is now worth some 24,000 a year per member and can cover such costs as mortgage interest, household utility bills and food.
Mrs Robinson described the expenses furore as ''a very difficult time''.
"I felt the intent of the media was to paint us as dishonest. The fact that we have our home in Dundonald, and what was in it and all the rest of it, I mean, that's 40 years of marriage and building up a home," she said.
"Peter and I don't drink or smoke. And all of a sudden you are being investigated and almost judged because you put your salary into your home and it was almost questionable as to how you got it.”
Mrs Robinson, who was first elected as an MP in 2001, added: “It’s terrible that a few MPs have brought the whole of political life into question. Yes, deal with the ones that were wrong, but the rest of us shouldn’t have to be punished.
“There’s people out there who believe there’s hundreds of thousands of pounds going into my pocket, which is nonsense.’’
l See The Quite Big Interview, pages 16 & 17
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