Paisley odds-on to retire this year

The North's First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley is odds-on to stand down from office this year, a bookmaker claimed today.

On the day that 81-year-old Cuban leader Fidel Castro announced he would no longer be the country’s President, Paddy Power said it was offering odds of 4/5 on the Democratic Unionist leader to stand down this year, the year of his 82nd birthday.

The bookmaker has also made Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson the strong favourite to step into his shoes, with odds of 1/3.

Speculation has been mounting that Mr Paisley will stand down soon following the resignation of his son, Ian Junior, from the Stormont Executive yesterday over concerns about his dealings with a north Antrim businessman.

The First Minister and his son, whose resignation will kick in once a replacement has been found, are due in Edinburgh today with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness for a two-day visit which will include talks with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

Paddy Power is offering odds of 3/2 for Mr Paisley to retire in 2009, 4/1 in 2010, 12/1 in 2011 and 25/1 for 2012 or later.

Stormont Economy Minister Nigel Dodds is 4/1 to succeed Mr Paisley, Environment Minister and former Ulster Unionist Arlene Foster is being offered at 8/1, Culture Minister Edwin Poots is at 12/1 and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson who also defected from the UUP is on 16/1.