McGuinness and Paisley to meet Scottish ministers

The joint leaders of the North’s power-sharing Executive will hold talks with the Scottish government in Edinburgh today.

But First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness’s trip has been overshadowed by the resignation of Dr Paisley’s son Ian jnr as a minister in the administration.

It has raised questions over the political future of the First Minister himself.

The Democratic Unionist Party leader and Sinn Féin MLA will visit the Scottish Parliament early today and meet Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson before touring the building.

They will then hold talks with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and Scottish government ministers at Edinburgh Castle, with collaboration on issues like terrorism and renewables likely to be on the agenda.

Student support issues are likely to be discussed, as well as the future of a ferry link between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

Mr Paisley jnr is also part of the Irish delegation, despite quitting over his links to businessman Seymour Sweeney – the first resignation since devolution was re-established.

He does not formally stand down until a replacement has been found.

Democratic Unionist Party sources are claiming that his departure hastens the need for a statement from his father on his future in frontline politics.

Questions on his future are expected when he faces the media after the meeting at the castle.

Dr Paisley said yesterday: “Northern Ireland can learn much from Scotland’s experiences of devolution, we have a lot in common, both economically and socially.”

He and Mr McGuinness will also visit an anti-sectarianism project in Edinburgh later in the afternoon.

Mr Salmond paid a visit to Stormont last year following his election success and addressed Assembly members from all parties in the North in the senate chamber.

Mr Paisley jnr, along with junior minister Gerry Kelly, will also meet Scottish minister for Europe Linda Fabiani.