Monday, February 18, 2008
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.
Pete Baker @ 12:20 PM
Word is staying as MLA, resigning from other positions.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:39 PMOnly 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:43 PMI have heard it may be a ‘temporary’ step down as junior minister…surely not another cop out, needs to go.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:46 PMWill 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
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:48 PMGone
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:50 PMwell if Justice is the glue, we’re getting some.
Hurrah!Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:50 PMDrives 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:50 PMJust confirmed on Talkback.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:51 PMWho’s in the running for replacement?
Chance for that rumoured reshuffle?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:51 PMAbout time too.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:53 PM“Who’s in the running for replacement?”
Jeffrey? Gregory?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:54 PM“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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:56 PMgreg’s on the Radio now, so he got his nose in pronto.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:56 PMGregory 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:58 PMSnr next on the Robbo hit list would expect him to be gone by the summer as jnr covered for him a lot.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 01:58 PMI 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:02 PMMy day is made!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:02 PMBG, it’s the Freedom of Information curse ...
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:02 PMmust be the first time someone in politics has resigned to spend less time with his family…..
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:03 PMgreat line darth
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:05 PMAnywhere else in the western world he’d have been gone weeks ago. But at least this is progress.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:05 PMThat is funny, darth.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:05 PMNevin,
You have to take some credit for this. CongratulationsPosted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:07 PMsteve48
Don’t forget that you’re paying Robbo’s mortgage too!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:08 PMI’ll second that, Turgon.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:08 PM
