Paisley to step down as church leader

Northern Ireland's First Minister and moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church, Rev. Ian Paisley, has announced that he will not be putting his name forward for re-election as head of the Church.

The move apparently follows growing dissent over the question of separation of Church and politics.

On May 8 Mr Paisley agreed to share power with Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

One source said, “The vast majority of the Church supports him but a significant minority would continue to agitate and arising from that he does not want to split the church.”

The veteran's intervention came at the church's annual meeting in Belfast and it is unclear how the development will affect his position as head of the Democratic Unionist Party.

Around 200 delegates were at last night's meeting, which stretched into the early hours of today.

The North Antrim MP has led the Church for decades, being re-elected every time he stood.

It is known for its fundamentalist stance, opposition to ecumenism and strict moral standards.