Talk:Iris Robinson scandal

Name and notability
The name Irisgate stems from a headline from The Herald, a Scottish newspaper. It hasn't been used otherwise in the press (the supposed use in USA Today is a mirror of that story). So this name is not the best.

As for notability, I think we need to wait a month or so to see how this pans out. Might fail WP:EVENT, might not. Fences &amp;  Windows  02:32, 9 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Second the call for a name change. The "gate" suffix is a lame journalistic cliche that was used in one foreign newspaper. It should be changed asap before it generates a feedback loop. Ktlynch (talk) 13:11, 9 January 2010 (UTC)


 * The Herald is not a "foreign" newspaper, and it is not the only newspaper to use it. The Times do also, as do some others. O Fenian (talk) 10:23, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Agree to name change any ideas on a new name. BigDunc  13:25, 9 January 2010 (UTC)

No, maybe something like "Iris Robinson's affair". As neutral and non-sensationalist as possible.Ktlynch (talk) 13:35, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Affair has a double connotation in this case though. BigDunc  13:58, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I have been bold and moved the page from the tabloid title it had. BigDunc  14:42, 9 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Could it not be moved to a more specific title? The homophobic comments were quite controversial, surely a title specific to the controversy in question is needed? O Fenian (talk) 17:22, 10 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I am open to any suggestions I was bold to avoid a feedback loop. BigDunc  18:18, 10 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't see the need for a seperate article here? This should be redirected to Iris Robinson. Stu   ’Bout ye!  09:39, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

I tend to support a merge. By the way O Fenian, this is related to her adultery, not remarks about homosexuality.Ktlynch (talk) 10:22, 11 January 2010 (UTC)


 * So what? This is not the first Iris Robinson controversy, like I said.. O Fenian (talk) 10:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * This article isn't about the sex comments! Secondly, can you provide some another citation for Irisgate? I just searched it on google and recieved the Herald (a scottish newspaper), wikipedia (no 3), and some mirror sites. That does not mean it is called "irisgate". There may be no agreed de facto name, so Iris Robinson scandal/controversy is most approiate. Ktlynch (talk) 10:28, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * The Times usage was far down an article, and ironically, and as a synomn in quotation marks. It actually suggests that it is a ridiclous, not real appelation.Ktlynch (talk) 10:31, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Again, so what? What does that have to do with what I said in the first place? When someone is known for being controversial, simply because this is the first article that is forked does not mean it should have the generic title "Iris Robinson controversy" because it is a generic non-specific title. I do not see how you draw that conclusion, since The Times do it with similar events. O Fenian (talk) 10:35, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Actually, reading this morning's reports about power sharing being under threat, the article should remain. For a while at least. If we find in a month's time that it was a storm in a teacup, then it can be merged. Agree with O Fenian, the current title is too vague. Iris Robinson financial controversy or something similar? Stu   ’Bout ye!  10:38, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * That would work, since the controversy is about the alleged financial wrongdoings rather than the peripheral affair and alleged suicide attempt. Frankfurter Rundschau ( and La Voz de Galicia are both using Irisgate, there may be more except it's nigh on impossible to search the 2000+ related articles for a specific term on Google News. O Fenian (talk) 10:50, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * It's not 100% - the title doesn't reflect Peter Robinson's involvement. His involvement may be secondary, but it has the potential for the more serious consequences. We'll see if anyone comes up with anything more fitting. Stu   ’Bout ye!  11:19, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * That much is true. Had the story been limited to just Iris's affair(s) and subsequent alleged suicide attempt I do not believe this article should exist. But the allegations of financial wrongdoing, Iris's resignation/sacking by DUP and Peter temporarily standing down as First Minister mean it is quite possible a separate article could be a good idea. On the flipside, I do believe due to the amount of coverage on the internet available about any news story means that recent events about people are covered in too much detail, when a few sentences summarising the events in their respective articles would be sufficient. O Fenian (talk) 17:03, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Religion of ex-lover
Catholic? Are you certain? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.152.0.195 (talk) 12:38, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I don't think his religious background should be of concern here. The chief issue surrounding this story is the fiscal goings on of the Robinsons. Dudeglove (talk) 14:45, 9 January 2010 (UTC)
 * The Telegraph says he is RC; I think it is relevant considering antipathy between many Protestants and Catholics in NI. Lkjhgfdsa 0 (talk) 12:27, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Needs some research as his father is also being said to be an Orange Order member and having a RC son would mean automatic expulsion. I would guess that the paper is mistaken. 86.43.110.186 (talk) 17:14, 12 January 2010 (UTC)

"-gate" category
I see this has been removed from this article and added to the Irisgate redirect. From a purist perspective only keeping the actual "-gate" articles or redirects in the category may be correct, I do not feel this is actually helpful as it does not allow the reader to navigate to the category (and thus other "-gate" related articles) from this article. Unless anyone has any concrete objections, I plan to add it back to this article and remove it from Irisgate? O Fenian (talk) 19:15, 11 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Redundant due to Categories for discussion/Log/2010 January 11. O Fenian (talk) 23:24, 11 January 2010 (UTC)

Sex Scandal
This scandal is about both Iris' financial impropriety and her affair. It is not, directly, about her bigotry. But I do think it deserves a mention. This Conservative Christian who claimed that it was the role of the government to enforce God's law has been shown to be hypocritical. She was actually in the middle of the affair as she made some of her vilest remarks about gay people. I think that's relevant. It certainly goes a long way to explain the srachenfreude. TRiG (talk) 04:43, 20 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Reliable sources have made the link, and I think that's what matters to protect us against original research. Bondegezou (talk) 08:46, 20 January 2010 (UTC)

Organised crime?
Why was she interviewed by the organised crime squad? Kittybrewster  &#9742;  09:30, 26 June 2010 (UTC)