Friends and foes pay tribute to Ian Paisley

Political leaders past and present from Ireland and the UK have been paying tribute to Ian Paisley, who died today aged 88.

The former Democratic Unionist Party leader had been ill for some time.

His successor as DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said he was an inspiration.

Mr Robinson told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “He was a colossus in unionism and made such a massive contribution, particularly to the process in which we are presently involved.”

“He was more than a significant figure. Ian was a founder and inspiration behind the existence of the party.

“He led it through difficult times where the Unionist community in Northern Ireland was under attack from terrorism and felt that their constitutional position was imperilled, right through from those dark days to the relative peace and security that we have at the present time.

“He was instrumentally involved and a key figure in terms of entering into the agreements that made it all possible.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Dr Paisley was, by any measure, a major figure in the history of Ireland and Britain.

“I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him in recent years, and I know that he treasured the peace and friendship that he had lived to see, and helped to build, between our traditions,” Mr Kenny said.

“His devotion to his faith and to the unionist people of Northern Ireland was deep and unshakeable.

“In time, history will come to a fuller judgment of his long career. And, while he was of course a divisive figure, his greatest legacy will be one of peace.”

Mr Kenny said thoughts and sympathies today should be to the many thousands of people devoted to Dr Paisley.

Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness expressed regret and sadness.

“Over a number of decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government,” he said.

“I want to pay tribute to and comment on the work he did in the latter days of his political life in building agreement and leading unionism into a new accommodation with republicans and nationalists.

“In the brief period that we worked together in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister I developed a close working relationship with him which developed into a friendship, which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office.

“I want to send my sincere sympathy to his wife, Eileen, his children and extended family.”

Very sad to learn that Ian Paisley has died.My deepest sympathy to his wife Eileen & family.Once political opponents - I have lost a friend.

— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) September 12, 2014

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams predicted that there would be “lots of discussion of his role”, but offered “sympathy to Eileen and the Paisley family” on behalf of himself and the party.

Just heard of Ian Paisleys death. There will b lots of discussion of his role but on my behalf & SF Sympathy 2 Eileen & the Paisley family.

— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) September 12, 2014

He later issued a statement, saying: “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Dr Ian Paisley.

“There will be plenty of time for political analysis but at this point I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Ian's wife Eileen and to the Paisley family at this very sad time.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Mr Pasiley's "courage and leadership".

"On behalf of the whole Government I would like to express sincere condolences to Lady Paisley and the rest of the Paisley family," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

"Ian Paisley was one of the most forceful and instantly recognisable characters in British politics for nearly half a century. His length of service was remarkable, as a Stormont MP, a Westminster MP for 40 years, an MEP and latterly as First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

"Of course, Ian Paisley was a controversial figure for large parts of his career. Yet the contribution he made in his later years to political stability in Northern Ireland was huge.

"In particular, his decision to take his party into government with Sinn Féin in 2007 required great courage and leadership, for which everyone in these islands should be grateful.

"I saw him most in the House of Commons where his great oratory stood out. He had a deserved reputation as one of the most hard working and effective MPs.

"Ian Paisley will be remembered by many as the 'Big Man' of Northern Ireland politics. He will be greatly missed."

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: “Ian was a big man. He had a big heart.

“In my younger days I found him a very difficult character but we ended up very good friends. He was a valuable character in the peace process.”

Mr Ahern said Mr Paisley’s latter years saw him pay a big price politically and personally, in friendships and in his vocation to the Free Presbyterian Church, after some of his associates of the previous 40 or 50 years deserted him.

“I grew to admire him. The more I got to know him, the more I grew to like him,” he told RTÉ Radio.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "Ian was a man of deep convictions. The convictions never changed. But his appreciation of the possibilities of peace, gradually and with much soul searching, did. He began as the militant. He ended as the peace-maker.

"Over time I got to know him well. He could be an uncompromising even intransigent opponent. But he was also someone who loved Northern Ireland and its people. He led them but he also followed them. When they said to him peace was thinkable, he made it possible.

"His religious beliefs were profound and genuine. He talked to me often about the need for forgiveness and I am sure part of what made him finally take the road to peace, was his capacity, driven by his Christian belief, to contemplate and then work for reconciliation.

"I don't suppose 40 years ago he would ever have thought that politically his life then would end as it does now. But I know he and Eileen would be very proud of his huge contribution to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

"My deepest condolences to all the family".

Former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain said: “Ian Paisley was the Big Man of Northern Ireland politics.

“The historic 2007 peace settlement bringing bitter lifetime enemies to govern jointly could never have happened without him.

“I worked very closely with him and came to like and respect him, his wife Eileen, his MP son Ian and his wider close-knit family to whom I extend my sympathies.”

Stormont justice minister David Ford said he was a dedicated political representative who served the people of North Antrim for over four decades.

“This was a huge period of time working on behalf of his constituents,” he said.

“His passing marks the end of the era, Northern Ireland politics will not be the same following his death.

“He was one of the biggest names in Northern Ireland and British politics.

“He was a larger-than-life character, whose presence was felt in any room he was in.

“Although many of us opposed his actions for many years, he played a key role in getting the Northern Ireland Assembly back on track in 2007 and I commended him for his work and effort in achieving this.”

Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), said: “There will be plenty of time to reflect on Ian Paisley's impact on the shaping of the modern Northern Ireland and its relations with our nearest neighbours, but today is a time to give the Paisley household space to mourn.

“My sympathies to Baroness Paisley and the family.”