Church leader warns Paisley over power sharing

A senior member of the Rev Ian Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church warned today that many worshippers were opposed to the Democratic Unionist leader joining Martin McGuinness at the joint head of a Stormont administration.

The Rev Ivan Foster sounded the warning after a Bill designed to restore power sharing next March received Royal Assent last night ahead of a meeting of the North’s transitional Assembly tomorrow.

With Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams expected to indicate at tomorrow’s meeting who their choices would be for Stormont First and Deputy First Minister next March, Mr Foster said many Free Presbyterians were alarmed at the prospect of the DUP and Sinn Féin sharing power.

The Co Fermanagh-based Free Presbyterian minister and former senior DUP Assembly member said: “I would say most Free Presbyterians are deeply, deeply troubled.

“In fact I would say I know of no Free Presbyterian who would welcome seeing Dr Paisley in the position of political coalition with Sinn Féin and particularly with Martin McGuinness.”

The British government expects Mr Paisley to confirm he will be the First Minister next March if the St Andrews roadmap for devolution is implemented.

It is also expected Mr McGuinness will be Sinn Féin’s choice as Deputy First Minister.

But for some political and religious colleagues of Mr Paisley, the prospect of the DUP leader heading a power administration alongside a self-confessed former IRA commander is too hard for them to stomach.

Mr Adams has said republicans also have difficulty believing Mr Paisley could head a power sharing government but are prepared to overcome their doubts.

Mr Foster, who has been a minister for almost 40 years, is the first clergyman within Mr Paisley’s church to express reservations openly about the DUP pursuing Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern’s plan for power sharing.

Democratic Unionist MEP Jim Allister broke ranks last month after the St Andrews talks, raising doubts about the plan.

Veteran councillor Jack McKee in Larne also publicly expressed reservations.

DUP leaders are keen to test Sinn Féin over the coming months over republican support for policing and the rule of law.

The party insists Sinn Féin must publicly endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland and encourage supporters to report crime if there is to be power sharing and if devolved ministers are to have control of policing and justice issues.

Mr Adams has warned he cannot hold a special party conference to change its policing party without the DUP first agreeing to a definite date for the transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster and to the type of government department that will handle it.

Mr Paisley met senior Free Presbyterian ministers, including Mr Foster, privately at Stormont two weeks ago to discuss concerns about the St Andrews plan.

Mr Foster said the current political situation was difficult for many in the church.

“Harsh criticisms of someone that you hold very dear are very hard to bear,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“You can bear criticism of yourself, more than you can bear criticism of those you admire and desire the very best for.

“So in that sense I have found it very stressful.”

Mr Foster said he trusted the DUP leader would do the best he could for the church and his supporters.