Peter Robinson has procedure after suspected heart attack

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson could be facing a night in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Mr Robinson (66), underwent a procedure at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital earlier on Monday.

He was transferred in an ambulance to the RVH’s specialist cardiac unit after seeking treatment at the Ulster Hospital, which is close to his home in the Castlereagh hills.

A spokeswoman for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust confirmed: “Mr Robinson underwent a procedure this morning and is currently recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital.”

His admission comes on the eve of a crucial debate on welfare reform which has been threatening to collapse the power-sharing institutions at Stormont.

The RVH, in west Belfast, is Northern Ireland’s largest hospital and is the main centre for cardiology.

A DUP statement said: “The First Minister felt unwell this morning and has been admitted to the hospital for some further tests.”

Messages of goodwill

Messages of goodwill have flooded in from across the UK, Ireland and the US through much of the day.

British prime minister David Cameron was among the first politicians to express concern.

He said on Twitter: “My best wishes to Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson who is in hospital. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers and Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also used Twitter to show their support.

Mr McGuinness said: “Concerned to hear First Minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital. My thoughts & prayers are with him,Iris & family.”

Mr Robinson, a father of three, has been leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and First Minister since 2008.

Mixed relations

In contrast to his predecessor, the firebrand preacher Ian Paisley, his tenure has been characterised by mixed relations with his coalition partners, Sinn Féin.

DUP colleagues including the party’s deputy leader Nigel Dodds, new East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley and former health minister Jim Wells have also added their best wishes.

Mr Dodds said he believed the First Minister had taken ill during the night.

Ian Paisley jnr said he understood the strain being placed on the Robinson family.

He said: “I know what it is like. I send him my best wishes and hope that he makes a speedy recovery.”

Gavin Robinson, who won back the constituency seat Mr Robinson lost in 2010, said: “I extend best wishes to the party leader and hope he makes a full and quick recovery.”

Political opponents including Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), Jim Allister from the TUV and SDLP leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell also wished the First Minister to make a full recovery.

Members of the Robinson family, including disgraced former Strangford MLA Iris Robinson whose affair with a teenager sparked a scandal which almost ruined her husband’s 35-year political career in 2010, have asked for privacy.

Significant pressure

As leader of Stormont’s largest party, Mr Robinson has been under significant pressure in recent months - not least because of the welfare reform wrangle.

His hospital admission means he is likely to miss Tuesday’s key debate on proposed changes to the benefits system.

Nationalists have vowed to veto the move and have deployed measures to block the Welfare Reform Bill when it is brought to the floor of the Assembly.

Mr Robinson has warned that the Executive faces financial meltdown and said he would seek to hand welfare powers back to London if the Bill was rejected.

The DUP also endured a difficult election campaign and was forced to enter a pact with the Ulster Unionists to safeguard seats.

Further pressure was added when Mr Wells resigned after a furore about comments he made linking same sex marriage to child abuse. The resignation meant Mr Robinson had to reshuffle his top team.

Mr Wells said he could not recall Mr Robinson having taken a sick day in 40 years.

He said: “I have known Peter since 1975 and I cannot remember him ever having a day off sick.

“He always struck me as being fit and healthy, so it was a real surprise to hear the news.

‘Wishing him well’

“The party will be 100 per cent behind me in wishing him well. We hope he will be back on his feet as soon as possible.

“It will be strange not having him with us at this crucial vote tomorrow - assuming he won’t be there. I wouldn’t put it past him to bounce back quickly.”

The US government also wished Mr Robinson a swift return to good health.

Former US senator Gary Hart, who hosted talks with the five Executive parties in the run-up to December’s Stormont House Agreement, said he had been concerned by the development.

In a statement, he said: “I and my colleagues in the US government were very concerned to learn that Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson was admitted to hospital earlier today.

“Our thoughts are with him and his family and we wish him a prompt return to full health.”

PA