Paisley Jnr stands down

Ian Paisley Jnr finally stood down from his ministerial post in the Northern Executive today amid growing speculation that Jeffrey Donaldson is set to replace him.

The junior minister announced his intention to resign last week after months of unrelenting media pressure about his relationship with north Antrim property developer Seymour Sweeney.

Mr Paisley vehemently denied he was guilty of any wrongdoing in lobbying for a number of Mr Sweeney’s property ventures, including a plan for a privately operated visitors’ centre at the World Heritage Giants Causeway site.

Mr Paisley confirmed he was stepping down on the floor of the Assembly.

“I wrote today to the First Minister at the department of First and Deputy First minister to inform of him of my resignation from the government,” he said.