Dr Paisley To Leave Commons

Firebrand Northern politician Ian Paisley will not contest his Westminster parliamentary seat at the next general election.

He has been the MP for North Antrim since 1970. It is widely expected his son, Ian Junior, will vie for the Commons seat. He is yet to be formally nominated by the DUP.

Ian Senior, the founder and former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, (pictured here in an artist's interpretation of his long-running 'boxing match' with republican leader, Gerry Adam) had previously hinted he could once again fight for the seat, amidst a challenge from TUV leader Jim Allister.

Mr Allister left the DUP in protest at the party's decision to enter into government with Sinn Fein.

He established the anti-power sharing Traditional Unionist Voice, which polled significantly at the European elections last May.

Mr Allister will stand as the TUV candidate in North Antrim at the forthcoming Westminster elections.

Dr Paisley resigned at Northern Ireland's First Minister and DUP leader in 2008.

At the time, many speculated he would also leave the Commons, having earlier renounced his stewardship of the firebrand Free Presbyterian Church.

The unionist stalwart, who turns 84 next month, disclosed his intension to retire from Westminster to the Ballymena Guardian last night.

In the 2005 general election, Dr Paisley polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000.

Mr Paisley Jr, who would not pre-empt the constituency officers' selection process, paid tribute to his father.

"This is the end of a significant era in British politics and Ian Paisley has left giant footsteps to fill," he said.

Describing Mr Allister as "offering nothing" to the electorate, Mr Paisley Jr said: "They certainly have a rant, they certainly have a person consumed by their own anger, hypocrisy and conceitedness and a person without a plan.

"He offers nothing - his strategy is destroy the assembly and go back to direct rule - we had a generation of direct rule and that failed."

Mr Allister said he recognised Dr Paisley's contribution to politics early in his career, but raised questions over the octogenarian's Commons voting record.

"He'd only been at 18% of votes in this parliament and missed key votes like on the referendum on Europe, abortion issues and blasphemy laws and a whole string of issues," said the TUV man.

"Obviously he wasn't able to do the job so he's given up."

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward offered his praise to the ex-head of the province's administration.

“He is a remarkable figure whose politics are born from the deepest principles and most fervently held conviction and who not only contributed to debate but often dominated it," said the Secretary of State.

"His decision to share Government with Sinn Fein and to work as First Minister with Martin McGuiness as deputy First Minister sent a beacon of optimism around the world.

"Stormont and Westminster alike will miss his immense character and personality."

(PR/BMcC)