Paisley Jnr to step down
The BBC’s Gareth Gordon has reported on Talkback that Northern Ireland junior minister, the DUP’s Ian Paisley Jnr, is expected to make a statement shortly.. and the expectation is that he will resign from his position as a junior minister. I’ll update when we get that statement. Update Talkback confirms Ian Paisley Jnr has resigned as Junior Minister. But will he continue to claim the rent mortgage for his constituency office? And will Ian Paisley Snr continue to do likewise? More In this BBC report. You can listen to the statement here [RealPlayer file]
Mr Paisley tendered his resignation to his father, Ian Paisley Snr, the first minister a short time ago. “I can’t express strongly enough that I am not going because of some hidden or some revealed wrongdoing,” he said. Mr Paisley, who will stay in the post until a replacement is found, said he would contiue in his role as an assembly member for North Antrim.
Word is staying as MLA, resigning from other positions.
Only as junior Minister? He’ll probably stand for Europe and end up in an even better paid role. And if he has to stand down completely his friend Seymore can give him a job I’m sure.
I have heard it may be a ‘temporary’ step down as junior minister…surely not another cop out, needs to go.
Will he be able to remain a member of the DUP? Will he be invited to fall on his sword as was the case of some other DUP public representatives?
“These attacks on my colleague are politically motivated and designed to damage his reputation.” .. North Antrim DUP Chairman 1 February 2008
well if Justice is the glue, we’re getting some.
Hurrah!
Gone
Drives a coach and many a horse through the DUP’s reputation as defender of the ratepayer.
Freeze the rates, and use the rest of the money for pointless offices and useless jobs.
And, by the way, the First Minister is directly implicated too.
Just confirmed on Talkback.
Who’s in the running for replacement?
Chance for that rumoured reshuffle?
About time too.
“Who’s in the running for replacement?”
Jeffrey? Gregory?
“Who’s in the running for replacement?”
Jeffrey? Gregory?
Posted by Nevin on Feb 18, 2008 @ 12:54 PM
Jeffrey would be mad in the head to take it, but Gregory is on Talkback at the minute paying tribute left right and centre. So you could be right there.
greg’s on the Radio now, so he got his nose in pronto.
Gregory Campbell has confirmed Paisley jr has tendered his resignation as Jr Minister.
Was sceptical when I heard this yesterday, but it’s great to be pleasantly surprised.
Davy Gordon, take a bow.
Snr next on the Robbo hit list would expect him to be gone by the summer as jnr covered for him a lot.
I know this resignation is not solely due to Dromore but after the election I suggested a special advisor be sacrificed. This is much more and although there are other causes I am sure the TUV and Dromore are partially responsible; it does imply that a degree of panic may be breaking out.
My day is made!
BG, it’s the Freedom of Information curse …
must be the first time someone in politics has resigned to spend less time with his family…..
great line darth
Anywhere else in the western world he’d have been gone weeks ago. But at least this is progress.
That is funny, darth.
Nevin,
You have to take some credit for this. Congratulations
steve48
Don’t forget that you’re paying Robbo’s mortgage too!
I’ll second that, Turgon.
Just heard his full statement.
See, he didn’t do anything wrong. Just a hardworking Minister playing a leading role in defeating the IRA/SF among his other great achievements.
Yes, to be fair, Nevin has been banging on about these issues long before this Assembly was set up.
In terms of who would replace him I would rule out any of the MP’s and amongst the second stringers Simon Hamilton appears to be favourite
I want wee jeffrey, because when he speaks to audiences in the Republic, he shows a modicum of respect.
Someone on Talkback was wondering if there’s a golden handshake – anyone know?
Turgon, just look at the Blackside. Someone issued an address – #111A Whitepark Road, Ballycastle – for a non-existent dwelling, the Planning Service gives permission, the Planning Appeals Commission overlooks the discrepancy and our public representatives ( and much of our media) remain mute. ‘presently under construction’ is hardly an adequate description for a longish standing hole in the ground.
I trust that the resignation doesn’t put an end to the questions (or answers).
Principal one now is who ends up owning the property that the public is essentially paying the mortgage on.
Turgon (and Joe), just look at the Blackside. Someone issued an address – #111A Whitepark Road, Ballycastle – for a non-existent dwelling, the Planning Service gives permission, the Planning Appeals Commission overlooks the discrepancy and our public representatives ( and much of our media) remain mute. ‘presently under construction’ is hardly an adequate description for a longish standing hole in the ground.
Apologies for ‘doing the double’!!
one down one to go!
Good to know that Ian Paisley Jnr endorses the Green Party vote of no confidence in him passed at the Party’s conference at the weekend, in Belfast.
Our understanding is that he jumped before further allegations come into the public domain…
pink news are delighted:
Homophobic minister Ian Paisley resigns from government
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/view.php?id=6877
This line must get a sniff at best craic of the day:
Mr Paisley Jnr was nominated for the Stonewall Bigot of the Year award 2007 but lost out to the Bishop of Hereford.
while I’m glad to see the back of IPj the questions remain. What knowledge did his da have of his lobbying activities, his office costs, his research salary from Westminster, his connections with Sweeney etc etc?
if the lad feels the need to resign – what about the Da?
Surely it a case of, the other Paisley must go!
One down, one to go.
Someone needs to look after the old booby, how about Eileen?
Nev – got anything on Edwin P?
i guess an embarrassment is an embarrassment is an embarassment whatever way you look at it……..
““If truth be told, Ian Junior’s local work on the ground not only snuffed out the ‘blow in’ label, it also laid the foundation for his outstanding result in the elections. In short he did the work, he shook the hands and he reaped the results.
“He could have sat back and let the party ticket send him to Stormont in economy class. Instead he invested heavily with his time in North Antrim and he must now be regarded as very much a regular in the first class compartment of the DUP locomotive.”” Editor, Ballymena Times, 2003
Perhaps the DUP locomotive is running out of steam.
The Greens final line of their press statement sums it up ‘Some people bring joy whereever they go, others whenever they go’.
BYE BYE JNR,
JNR GOODBYEEEEEEEEE…………
Tremendous! Another great day for Ulster!
Line up the Doc next!
JA take a bow!
‘Cull in North Antrim’
Apparently its the cows
This goes to confirm my long standing conviction. The DUP as a party is unfit for government anywhere, north or south. It’s as unfit as Fianna Fáil – and that’s saying something…. Perhaps the two parties should get together….
This seems to have united almost everyone on here. Unusual but hey it’s great, I personally don’t take to the man (being a papist maself ye know), and think it obvious he’s just hanging onto his da’s coat-tails. Love him or loathe him, big Ian has the skills. Wee Ian has nathin.
Was Jnr, until today, a shoe-in for Papa Doc’s seat at Westminster?
nmc
even his own side say precisely that:
“IPJ has all of his father’s weaknesses, but none of his strengths”