Portrait of Peter Robison unveiled at Stormont as former First Minister praises wife fighting cancer
Peter Robinson said the event had been delayed for some time due to the 'unpredictable ups and downs' of his wife's illness.
He praised Iris for the 'remarkable courage and tenacity' she has shown while battling cancer.
Mr Robinson said: 'Probably it brings me out with a lot more respect for those who are involved in our health services.
'We really do have some tremendous people working in our hospitals and elsewhere in our health service.
'They don't get the credit that they deserve.
'Maybe a bit more of the funding should go to them rather than those who are administrators of the process.'
The former leader of the DUP also spoke about prospect of an Irish unity poll, which he labelled a "distraction".
Mr Robinson said there was no reason why the UK Government should move towards a unity referendum and predicted a united Ireland would not happen in his lifetime.
The 76-year-old said: 'I think when the earth is put on my coffin we will still be in the United Kingdom.'
He added: 'I am not worried about the outcome of a border poll.
'There is no reason why the Government should move toward a border poll.
'There isn't the desire, except in some specific circles, for a united Ireland or for a border poll.
'Quite honestly it is a distraction from the real work that needs to be done. That is looking at our health and education systems, infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
'If we all concentrated on how we could improve people's lives, I think more progress would be made.'
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The Herald Scotland
19 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
We used to have hope and compassion. Where did it all go?
The documentary reminded me that, 20 years after Live Aid, there was Live 8 on July 2, 2005, held in eight cities around the globe, including Moscow. That was the time of the Make Poverty History campaign, of the G8 in Gleneagles when world leaders, including Vladimir Putin, signed up to an accord to cancel debt owed by the poorest nations of the world and to boost aid to Africa. It was a time when President George Bush committed $15 billion to the fight against Aids in Africa and the Caribbean, saying that compassion was an American value. Looking at the hopes and aspirations of those times gone by and looking at the world as it is today, all I can ask is: where did it all go wrong? Doug Maughan, Dunblane. Who are they kidding? Who are Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron kidding if they think that their "one in, one out" pilot scheme is 'groundbreaking", will have a 'deterrent effect beyond the numbers actually returned" and will 'finally turn the tables"? At least there was no further mention of the sound bite pipe dream of "smashing the gangs" ('Starmer and Macron detail 'one in, one out' migrant pilot to curb crossings", The Herald, July 11). It is worth noting their scheme is to curb crossings, not stop them. A potential migrant was interviewed on TV this morning and unsurprisingly said it would not deter him. Hundreds come over each week and the risk of being one of those few selected (how?) to be returned is minuscule, and anyway the legal aid lawyers will be queuing up to challenge that selection and appeal again and again against it if necessary. We have huge numbers of migrants coming here to seek asylum through legal routes and that will no doubt continue, but the illegal migrants are paying the trafficking gangs to avoid any scrutiny. How can it be in our national security interests to have thousands of mainly young men, about whom we know little or nothing, dispersed around the country ? When will the Government act on its previous admission that it was its 'duty" to stop, not just curb, these illegal migrants? That will require it to enforce the sovereignty of the UK and its borders by legislating to create the real deterrent that illegal migrants are disqualified automatically, no ifs or buts, from staying here and will be arrested on arrival and held securely until they can be deported back to French waters from where they came. What else can we do to stop this illegal invasion? Alan Fitzpatrick, Dunlop. Read more letters What hope now for Labour? The only way to quiet the Farage foghorn is to turn the narrative away from 'irregular migration' to one of the many, many other pressing, sidelined issues. There are two problems with this. • The predominantly right-wing UK media loves the aggro and lazy one-trick-pony-ness of it as much as Nigel Farage. • It would take real leadership from Keir Starmer (sprinkled with some belief in his own policies) to achieve. Banging on about migration in wholly negative terms while doing precious little to fix the broken system that encourages the exploitation – including even acknowledging the disastrous role of Brexit – is too easy fuel for Reform UK and is lapped up by a swathe of the population, now comfortable in dressing their racism up as patriotism. Angela Rayner, who might contend as a real leader, has just been carpeted by her union for her role in the Birmingham bin strike ("Angela Rayner suspended by Unite union over bin strike", heraldscotland, July 11). I didn't know Angela Rayner ran Birmingham City Council. And anyway, it is high time the major unions – including the ones who keep orchestrating rail strikes – cottoned on that in a country where everything is either privatised or de-facto privatised and the job of a lot of councils is simply working out whose mates to give the contracts to, strikes only actually affect the suffering public who are already paying through the nose for failing and dysfunctional services. With Ms Rayner's wings clipped by an out-of-touch union, what hope is there that Labour leadership can change the discordant tune? At least we've got Keir Starmer's Trump visit to look forward to. Amanda Baker, Edinburgh. Why should we pay for Trump? It is said that the purpose of Donald Trump's visit is to open the new 18 hole-golf course at his resort in the north-east coast at Menie, north of Aberdeen. He is not expected to meet with King Charles in London. For all intents and purposes therefore, the visit is a business trip and the only political elements pertaining to the situation are due to the person making the trip. The trip of 2018 cost the UK taxpayer in the region of £18 million, £5m of which covered time spent in Scotland. Since the purpose of the 2025 trip is to further expand Trump business, why should the UK taxpayer be called to compensate the President for security/transport costs if they are in fact business expenses ("Police seek aid over cost of Trump Scots visit", The Herald, July 11)? The US taxpayer no doubt gazes dumbfounded as their Head of State boards Air Force One for yet another round of golf in warmer climes, but they voted for him. Scotland didn't. Maureen McGarry-O'Hanlon, Jamestown. • Do we really want to see US President Donald Trump in Scotland, pay at least £5 million for his security, and let him promote his golf courses? No, no, no! He's the most obnoxious, arrogant and ignorant numpty ever to inhabit the White House. Our police could instead deal with what really matters in our communities and I would urge our golfers to play different courses. Andy Stenton, Glasgow. • You report the news of a Presidential visit by The Donald this month. The last time around the security bill was many millions of pounds. The numbers of police being taken from their usual duties numbered thousands. In view of his seemingly singular undiplomatic views on all things American and many other countries, it gives way as to how to view the visit. Does one join with a large demonstration, of which there will be many to choose from, or stay at home like the multitude who care nought for him and the ideology he professes? It is a no-win situation for the police and the taxpayer. R Johnston, Newton Mearns. Wind industry is on holiday During this current heatwave when we need electricity for air conditioning the most, I couldn't help but notice the wind industry has gone off on holiday. The entire fleet of thousands of entirely parasitic, demonstrably useless giant wind turbines littering our once-beautiful countryside is barely able to provide the National Grid with 2% – reaching the dizzying heights of 1.46% to be precise. Will we get a refund of the vast annual record-breaking subsidy for poor or non-existent service? George Herraghty, Lhanbryde. Keir Starmer pictured with Emmanuel Macron earlier this week (Image: PA) Drink up, Canada I note Ross Greer's advice to John Swinney to "switch" Scots whisky exports from America to Canada ("'Switch our whisky exports from US to Canada over Trump tariffs'", The Herald, July 11). Looking at this from the perspective of per head of population (335 million versus 40 million) this will require Canadians to increase their whisky consumption by a factor of 8.3. Good luck with that. Another example of sound political logic? Jon Cossar, Edinburgh. McDermid on the warpath Val McDermid has gone on the warpath ("Val McDermid: Politics is an 'absolute cesspit of misogyny'", heraldscotland, July 10). This is intriguing as Ms McDermid is very good friends with Nicola Sturgeon, who almost single-handedly removed the basic rights of all Scottish females to their own private space with her ill-thought-out gender reforms. Are we detecting yet more push-back against the very relevant Supreme Court decision on this matter which pointedly did not support Nicola Sturgeon's position ? You could write a book about all of this. Dr Gerald Edwards, Glasgow. Rough treatment Scotland looked wonderful yesterday (July 10) in the sun at the Scottish Open Golf at the Renaissance Club overlooking the Firth of Forth. The golf was also pretty good, with some Scots in contention and of course the fans behaved impeccably. The only slightly sour note was provided by the two heavies escorting Rory McIlroy, who seemed intent on preventing the young fans touching hands with their hero, shame. I am sure that Rory would not sanction such action. W MacIntyre, East Kilbride. Taps off, please The backdrop to Carol Kirkwood's BBC weather forecast today (July 11) was Battersea Park. The 20-plus fountains were majestically performing in full flow. The previous news item had stressed the need to conserve water due to the current weather. The watery spectacle seemed to contradict the public warning. Lack of communication or a complete disregard for common sense? Either way a prompt turn-off is required. Allan C Steele, Giffnock. Our 45 record Kristy Dorsey's article on the Eastwood Twelve ("The revival of golf at Eastwood: '12 is plenty'", The Herald, July 11) mentions people not wanting to take out the whole day to play 18 holes. Back in the day, three of us regularly played both of Hilton Park's courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, followed by nine holes on the shorter Allander course in the evening, only the twilight hours restricting our day's golf to 45 holes. We were known as the lopers, admittedly with no wives and families to be brought into the equation. David Miller, Milngavie. • Samantha Whitelaw, the manager of the 12 -hole Eastwood Golf Course, lists the advantages of the club's limited number of holes compared to the more conventional 18-hole course. As a former "holiday golfer", one of the attractions would be to claim that I could manage a round at my course in fewer than sixty strokes – but only on a good day. Malcolm Allan, Bishopbriggs.
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
What would a regional mayor mean for Norfolk and Suffolk?
Big changes in how Norfolk and Suffolk are run are on the government wants to carry out a major shake-up of local authorities – existing councils will be scrapped and replaced by new ones - and the counties will share a will be given extra powers over areas including transport and housing, with elections for the mayoral role due to take place in May next successful politician will then oversee councils running two counties that have traditionally been known to have a friendly rivalry. Why is this happening? Last December ministers revealed devolution plans which would see a huge reorganisation of local government, with the pledge of moving more power away from London and also cutting prime minister Angela Rayner told the BBC that giving regional mayors more control over housing, transport, education and employment would help drive economic plan will also see numerous existing councils Norfolk that means eight existing councils will be scrapped, although there is debate as to how they should be reformedThe existing county council favours one authority covering the entire county while six of the district councils favour three. South Norfolk Council has said two would be Suffolk, six current councils will county council has said it should be replaced by one authority, but the five districts are backing the idea of three. What would the mayor do? The mayor would be in charge of what is called a combined county authority – which would be made up of Norfolk and Suffolk's government has said they would have "greater local control" over transport, adult education and skills, and housing – and it would expect them to deliver improvements including economic may also take on the responsibilities of the police and crime powers will ultimately be determined by the Devolution Bill - launched on Thursday - if that passes through parliament and becomes mayor would also represent Norfolk and Suffolk on the Council of Nations and Regions – which includes the Prime Minister, leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – as well other regional mayors. What other parts of the country have mayors like this? There are already 14 regional mayors in England covering the likes of Greater Manchester, Greater Lincolnshire and Cambridge and powers and responsibilities vary, with the Mayor of London role being quite different as it was setup under a different model of devolution. Who could the next mayor be? With the election not due to take place until next year, the major parties have yet to select their as a high-profile, new role, competition to be nominated would likely be could also see independent candidates put themselves forward. Don't we already have mayors? Yes, we do – but they are different from the one we have been talking about selects a new Lord Mayor every year from its existing councillors, while West Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough councillors do the same for their each case, it is a ceremonial role that sees them chairing full council meetings, attending civic events and councils like Bury St Edmunds, Cromer, Thetford and Felixstowe also have mayors who are, again, existing councillors serving as figureheads and chairing meetings. How would they be chosen? An election is scheduled for 7 May 2026, with everyone registered to vote in Norfolk and Suffolk able to take mayor would then serve for a fixed term of four years, before another election takes place. Will these changes definitely happen? Devolution deals have been on the table for both Norfolk and Suffolk in the past, but ultimately came to time around, the majority of players involved want to move forward with a deal, even though they may not currently agree on what the final deal should sorting out such a major reorganisation is not simple, and there is still a lot of work to be done in a relatively short period of time. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Norfolk or BBC Suffolk.
Glasgow Times
33 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Patrick Harvie: 'Trump is not welcome in Scotland'
Now reports suggest that the first convicted criminal ever to serve as President of the United States is planning another visit to our shores. In 2023, Trump was found guilty of thirty-four charges relating to false accounting in his business, after he paid $130,000 in hush money to cover up an affair with a porn star. Trump also has dozens of sexual assault allegations against him dating back to the 1970s. His contempt for women, his racism, and his climate denial have all been clear for decades. At home, Trump has sent troops onto the streets to threaten his own citizens. He is constructing a concentration camp in Florida, and sending agents to terrorise working-class immigrant communities across America, where people are being seized from their homes, businesses, and places of worship, and deported without fair process, ripping families apart. He has slashed funding from crucial services – a move which has already cost the lives of working-class people – to give tax breaks to his billionaire pals. Donald Trump rides roughshod over the rights of his own citizens, but his actions show the same contempt for international law, from withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement to welcoming Israel's Prime Minister to Washington D.C. while Netanyahu has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes. It's revolting to see this celebration of the man behind the ongoing atrocities and genocide of innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. Leaders who break international law, who show such utter disdain for human rights at home and abroad, should not be treated like other world leaders. They should be treated like pariahs, not normalised. Recently, Trump's Vice President directly attacked Scottish democracy, spreading lies about a bill led by my Green MSP colleague Gillian Mackay and passed overwhelmingly by Parliament. One of the most senior people in another nation's government had deliberately spread misinformation about our politics and laws, and yet the UK Government still plans to welcome his regime with open arms. Trump has forfeited the right to the red carpet treatment, and it is frankly embarrassing to see UK leaders continuing to pander to him instead of calling him out. Given Keir Starmer's track record, we can expect a display of deference without a single word of challenge to Trump's fascism. But it's not just down to Westminster and the UK Government. The Scottish Government must also make it clear that Trump is not welcome here. We in the Scottish Greens have long called for an investigation into Donald Trump's finances in Scotland through an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) – a power held by the Scottish Government to investigate the finances of politically active individuals who have gained wealth through suspicious means. Trump's Menie Estate golf course, which he is set to visit this month, was cited in one of his felony charges, which makes it clearer than ever that a UWO must be used. Playing golf while babies starve to death in a man-made, live-streamed genocide is a sickening display of wealth and power. The SNP Government should make it clear that we in Scotland are not playing along.
