Paisley Jnr quits after months of pressure
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
By David Gordon
The DUP yesterday called time on Ian Paisley Jnr's Ministerial career. His
resignation followed months of sustained pressure over his links to
developer Seymour Sweeney.
Mr Paisley hit out at his critics once again as he announced his resignation
at Stormont Castle - with no party colleagues by his side.
The latest controversy, surrounding his publicly-funded constituency office,
is believed to have convinced senior DUP figures that he had to go.
Meanwhile MLAs from other parties last night signalled that they do not
accept the controversy is over just yet.
The resignation, which comes on the back of the demoralising by-election
defeat for the DUP in Dromore last week, has now fuelled speculation about
Ian Paisley Snr's future as both First Minister and party leader.