FORMER first minister Peter Robinson said he has asked the DUP not to proceed with his nomination for a peerage.
Taking to the social networking site Facebook, he said his request had been made for the "pragmatic" reason that the party "who are in a confidence and supply agreement with the government (which is hugely beneficial for Northern Ireland), need dedicated working peers".
The former DUP leader said "business responsibilities and other projects in which I am presently involved including a new commitment I have just undertaken... (render him) unable to fulfil this role, at this time, to the standard I believe it deserves".
He issued the public statement after the Irish News revealed his name was one of at least three that had been submitted for membership of the House of Lords.
Mr Robinson revealed that he had been asked by his successor Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds if the party could nominate him for a peerage.
"I thanked them for their thoughtful consideration but declined as I wanted a period to recover from my heart attack and take on new challenges," he said.
"Happily, I have had no re-occurrence of my heart problem though I am presently recuperating from a recent minor operation."
