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 @ 01:20 PM
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.Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:12 PMYes, to be fair, Nevin has been banging on about these issues long before this Assembly was set up.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:13 PMIn 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
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:14 PMI want wee jeffrey, because when he speaks to audiences in the Republic, he shows a modicum of respect.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:18 PMSomeone on Talkback was wondering if there’s a golden handshake - anyone know?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:18 PMTurgon, 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:19 PMI 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.Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:22 PMTurgon (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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:23 PMApologies for ‘doing the double’!!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:26 PMone down one to go!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:29 PMGood 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…
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:29 PMpink 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:38 PMwhile 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!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:40 PMOne down, one to go.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:44 PMSomeone needs to look after the old booby, how about Eileen?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:47 PMNev - got anything on Edwin P?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 02:54 PMi guess an embarrassment is an embarrassment is an embarassment whatever way you look at it........
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:00 PM““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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:00 PMThe Greens final line of their press statement sums it up ‘Some people bring joy whereever they go, others whenever they go’.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:02 PMBYE BYE JNR,
JNR GOODBYEEEEEEEEE............Tremendous! Another great day for Ulster!
Line up the Doc next!JA take a bow!
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:03 PM‘Cull in North Antrim’
Apparently its the cowsPosted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:05 PMThis 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....
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:07 PMThis 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.
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:13 PMWas Jnr, until today, a shoe-in for Papa Doc’s seat at Westminster?
Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:14 PMnmc
even his own side say precisely that:
“IPJ has all of his father’s weaknesses, but none of his strengths”Posted by on Feb 18, 2008 @ 03:23 PM
