12/12/2018
Paisley To Face New Questions Over 2016 Holiday
DUP MP Ian Paisley is to face new questions over another "luxury holiday" to the Maldives in 2016.
A BBC Spotlight programme has claimed that Mr Paisley accepted a holiday to a Maldives resort at the invitation of the Maldivian government "months after advocating on behalf of its government".
It is understood that Mr Paisley has claimed that he paid for part of the holiday, with the rest paid for "by a friend".
However, according to the BBC programme, Mr Paisley has not revealed the identity of the so-called "friend".
The programme raised questions over whether or not Mr Paisley should have declared the 2016 holiday.
Mr Paisley recently faced a historic 30 day suspension from Westminster and his party, after it was ruled that he had broken parliamentary rules by not declaring two holidays to Sri Lanka in 2013.
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said: "The public is entitled to know who paid for this holiday and why Ian Paisley had not registered the trip with the authorities at Westminster.
"Questions also arise about Ian Paisley's relationship with the government of the Maldives, which had been criticised by the UN over allegations of human rights abuses.
"All of this comes on the heels of Ian Paisley's suspension from the British House of Commons following his failure to declare lavish family holidays in Sri Lanka.
"I have now written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathyrn Stone, to ask her to investigate these allegations."
(MH)
A BBC Spotlight programme has claimed that Mr Paisley accepted a holiday to a Maldives resort at the invitation of the Maldivian government "months after advocating on behalf of its government".
It is understood that Mr Paisley has claimed that he paid for part of the holiday, with the rest paid for "by a friend".
However, according to the BBC programme, Mr Paisley has not revealed the identity of the so-called "friend".
The programme raised questions over whether or not Mr Paisley should have declared the 2016 holiday.
Mr Paisley recently faced a historic 30 day suspension from Westminster and his party, after it was ruled that he had broken parliamentary rules by not declaring two holidays to Sri Lanka in 2013.
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said: "The public is entitled to know who paid for this holiday and why Ian Paisley had not registered the trip with the authorities at Westminster.
"Questions also arise about Ian Paisley's relationship with the government of the Maldives, which had been criticised by the UN over allegations of human rights abuses.
"All of this comes on the heels of Ian Paisley's suspension from the British House of Commons following his failure to declare lavish family holidays in Sri Lanka.
"I have now written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Kathyrn Stone, to ask her to investigate these allegations."
(MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 June 2019
Ian Paisley Faces Fresh Holiday Backlash
Sinn Fein has said the DUP has serious questions to answer amid fresh revelations about holidays taken by north Antrim MP Ian Paisley. A BBC Spotlight investigation highlighted a number of holidays the politician took to the Maldives, one of which was reportedly paid for by a former government minister.
Ian Paisley Faces Fresh Holiday Backlash
Sinn Fein has said the DUP has serious questions to answer amid fresh revelations about holidays taken by north Antrim MP Ian Paisley. A BBC Spotlight investigation highlighted a number of holidays the politician took to the Maldives, one of which was reportedly paid for by a former government minister.
27 June 2019
Ian Paisley Referred To Standards Commissioner
North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over fresh revelations about holidays taken to the Maldives.
Ian Paisley Referred To Standards Commissioner
North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over fresh revelations about holidays taken to the Maldives.
28 February 2008
Ulster Keeps Eye On Trump Golf Project Inquiry
The already contentious application by Trump International Golf Links Scotland to develop a golf resort is now set to go to a Public Local Inquiry - with the outcome eagerly watched by political representatives in Northern Ireland who aim to 'steal' the project for the Province.
Ulster Keeps Eye On Trump Golf Project Inquiry
The already contentious application by Trump International Golf Links Scotland to develop a golf resort is now set to go to a Public Local Inquiry - with the outcome eagerly watched by political representatives in Northern Ireland who aim to 'steal' the project for the Province.
18 July 2018
Ian Paisley Faces Suspension From House Of Commons
DUP MP Ian Paisley faces a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaching parliamentary rules. Mr Paisley failed to declare the details of two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013.
Ian Paisley Faces Suspension From House Of Commons
DUP MP Ian Paisley faces a 30-day suspension from the House of Commons for breaching parliamentary rules. Mr Paisley failed to declare the details of two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government in 2013.
01 July 2009
No Jail For Paisley Jnr Over Contempt
A high profile Stormont Assembly member was fined £5,000 yesterday for refusing to reveal the name of a confidential source. However, while MLA Ian Paisley Jnr will have to find a considerably higher sum - taking into account costs - he won't be going to prison.
No Jail For Paisley Jnr Over Contempt
A high profile Stormont Assembly member was fined £5,000 yesterday for refusing to reveal the name of a confidential source. However, while MLA Ian Paisley Jnr will have to find a considerably higher sum - taking into account costs - he won't be going to prison.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.