Paisley 'agreed to share power to avoid Irish-British rule'

DUP leader Ian Paisley has said the reason he agreed to share power with Sinn Féin was to prevent the Irish and British governments from imposing joint rule in the North.

Dr Paisley has told the BBC that "undemocratic" elements at Westminster had forced him to choose between his reputation and his country.

He said the British government vowed to impose its so-called "Plan B" if a power-sharing deal was not agreed by March 26.

That plan would have seen Ireland and Britain running the North on a partnership basis.