NI First Minister Peter Robinson To Step Down

Mr McGuinness said Mr Robinson had informed him of his intentions well before it was announced publicly.

He said: “The imperative is for the process to work”.

While Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness’s seven years in office has not been characterised with the same bonhomie, the republican insisted he has developed a strong relationship with his unionist partner in government.

Robinson, 66, is expected to confirm it in a series of broadcast interviews today and he has stated it in an interview with this morning’s Belfast Telegraph.

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.

Mr Robinson’s party also holds eight out of 18 Northern Ireland seats in the House of Commons and one of its three seats in the European Parliament.

“I believe that is now achieved”, he told the Belfast Telegraph.

The Protestant leader of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government, Peter Robinson, says he will retire from politics now that his coalition with Irish Catholic leaders has been restored to firm foundations.

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds will be among the favourites to take over as DUP leader.

“He will stand tall because of that and because of his leadership as First Minister”.

The decision, which comes on the eve of the DUP conference, has prompted speculation over who will take over from the veteran leader.

With all those accomplished, he said the time was right to step aside.

“There are massive pressures on anybody in this job”.

Northern Ireland’s political leaders this week reached a new accord after months of talks.