DUBLIN: Peter Robinson will announce his departure from politics today
Peter Robinson has announced he will step down as First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) by the end of the year.
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.
The news will certainly dominate the DUP’s Annual Conference this weekend. He told the Belfast Telegraph there are “massive pressures” involved in his work.
The 66-year-old suffered a heart attack in May, but has denied he made his decision to leave for health reasons.
Four stents were inserted during that emergency procedure. He will turn 67 next month.
Mr Robinson will consult with party officers about the timing of his vacating the DUP leadership and first minister roles.
With Assembly elections due in May, the party may opt to have changes made by January.
Mr Robinson took over the DUP leadership from Ian Paisley in 2008.
The party will hold its annual conference this weekend, and Robinson said it would be disrespectful to members to go through it with the pretence that he would be leading the party into the next election.
