THE WIFE OF Northern Ireland’s First Minister has been cleared of any wrongdoing over the awarding of a contract to her former lover.

Iris Robinson and Castlereagh Borough Council have been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent investigation, BBC News reports.

The investigation looked at whether councillors and officials complied with legislation and if any wrongdoing took place.

Controversy arose in January 2010, when a BBC Spotlight programme alleged that Robinson, wife of First Minister Peter Robinson, acted illegally over money deals connected to the Lock Keeper’s Inn cafe which was run by her then lover Kirk McCambley, 19.

RTÉ reports that Robinson was alleged to have borrowed money to help him set up the business leasing a cafe from Castlereagh Borough Council.

The controversy surrounding not only the allegations but the affair with McCambley led to Robinson resigning as an MP, an MLA, and a councillor.

The public prosecution service decided in March not to prosecute in the case.

After many months out of the spotlight, Robinson returned to the public arena with her husband last week when she attended a dinner hosted by the Queen during her visit to Ireland.