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04/09/2018
Ian Paisley's 30-Day Suspension Begins
The 30 day suspension of the DUP's Ian Paisley begins today, Tuesday 04 September, as Parliament returns to Westminster following the summer recess.
The North Antrim MP was suspended from Westminster and by his own party after it was found that he had failed to register family holidays that had been paid for by the Sri Lankan government, worth an estimated £50,000.
A recall petition calling for a by-election in Mr Paisley's constituency will close in two weeks. The petition needs to receive 10% support, around 7,500 signatures, in order to be enacted.
Mr Paisley has held his North Antrim seat since 2010 and has said that he will contest a by-election if one is called.
Commenting on Mr Paisley's suspension, Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, said that it was a "reminder of the need for integrity in public office".
The North Antrim MLA also urged the people of the constituency to sign the petition to unseat Paisley, given the serious nature of his wrongdoing.
He continued: "Ian Paisley will begin his suspension today after being subject to the most severe sanction handed down by that parliament in 70 years.
"He was suspended over his links to the notorious Sri Lankan regime. He accepted lavish holidays from the Sri Lankan government and then lobbied to prevent the UN investigating the mass murder of Tamil civilians by that same government.
"Despite this, Ian Paisley’s party leadership have yet to condemn these actions or to confirm whether or not he still has their support as MP for North Antrim.
"That is a failure of leadership and a failure to address the very serious issues at the heart of this scandal.
"However, in the current recall petition the people of North Antrim have an opportunity to give their verdict and to demand integrity in public office by signing the petition to unseat Ian Paisley and I would call on as many people as possible to do so."
(MH/CM)
The North Antrim MP was suspended from Westminster and by his own party after it was found that he had failed to register family holidays that had been paid for by the Sri Lankan government, worth an estimated £50,000.
A recall petition calling for a by-election in Mr Paisley's constituency will close in two weeks. The petition needs to receive 10% support, around 7,500 signatures, in order to be enacted.
Mr Paisley has held his North Antrim seat since 2010 and has said that he will contest a by-election if one is called.
Commenting on Mr Paisley's suspension, Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan, said that it was a "reminder of the need for integrity in public office".
The North Antrim MLA also urged the people of the constituency to sign the petition to unseat Paisley, given the serious nature of his wrongdoing.
He continued: "Ian Paisley will begin his suspension today after being subject to the most severe sanction handed down by that parliament in 70 years.
"He was suspended over his links to the notorious Sri Lankan regime. He accepted lavish holidays from the Sri Lankan government and then lobbied to prevent the UN investigating the mass murder of Tamil civilians by that same government.
"Despite this, Ian Paisley’s party leadership have yet to condemn these actions or to confirm whether or not he still has their support as MP for North Antrim.
"That is a failure of leadership and a failure to address the very serious issues at the heart of this scandal.
"However, in the current recall petition the people of North Antrim have an opportunity to give their verdict and to demand integrity in public office by signing the petition to unseat Ian Paisley and I would call on as many people as possible to do so."
(MH/CM)
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DUP MP Ian Paisley is to be suspended from the House of Commons for 30 sitting days. MPs voted to suspend Mr Paisley after he failed to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government. His absence is expected to last until October and he will not receive a salary for a month.
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Sinn Féin Backs Campaign To Oust Paisley
Sinn Féin MLAs and MPs from across Northern Ireland have come together to back the recall petition campaign in Ballymena to oust disgraced North Antrim MP Ian Paisley from office. The petition is set to close on 19 September. North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said there is anger right across the political spectrum at the behaviour of the DUP MP.
Sinn Féin Backs Campaign To Oust Paisley
Sinn Féin MLAs and MPs from across Northern Ireland have come together to back the recall petition campaign in Ballymena to oust disgraced North Antrim MP Ian Paisley from office. The petition is set to close on 19 September. North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan said there is anger right across the political spectrum at the behaviour of the DUP MP.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
