Ian Paisley sorry for breach in parliamentary rules

The DUP’s Ian Paisley begged his constituents to retain confidence in him during an emotional apology in the British House of Commons for a major breach of parliamentary rules.

The North Antrim MP has faced calls to quit and the prospect of a by-election after a parliamentary watchdog recommended that he be suspended from the Commons for 30 days for failing to register two family holidays funded by the Sri Lankan government.

Mr Paisley said it was with “profound personal regret and deep personal embarrassment” that he had to make a statement as he acknowledged he failed to declare and register the two trips.