Ian Paisley Jnr. Resigns From The Northern Executive

Junior Minister in the Stormont Assembly, Ian Paisley Jnr. resigned on Monday amid allegations of impropriety in business dealings with property developer Seymour Sweeney. Paisley jnr's resignation must now cast doubts on the longevity of his father's reign as First Minister.

Speaking to reporters outside Stormont yesterday Paisley Jnr reiterated that he had done nothing untoward: "I can't express strongly enough that I am not going because of some hidden or some revealed wrongdoing," He continued. "Personal criticism, unfounded allegations, innuendo and attacks on me personally have been followed by ombudsman's reports that have cleared me."

A BBC investigation alleged that Paisley had lobbied on behalf of Sweeney in a $100m property deal in his constituency. The deal included an interpretative center at the famous Giant's Causeway on the North Antrim coast.

Paisley will remain a Junior Minister until a replacement is found and will continue in his role as an assembly member for North Antrim.

Shaun Woodward, the Northern Ireland Secretary commented that, " it is obviously a matter for the DUP and obviously a matter for the Executive and Assembly.

"But on a private front I think one also has to acknowledge that, for the Paisley family, it is a very difficult time.

"These matters are always very, very hard and for them, a family who has given a huge amount to Northern Ireland, my thoughts are also with them."

Daithi McKay, a Sinn Fein Assembly member said that the resignation would not end the questions for Mr Paisley, pointing out that, "There are still a number of questions that he needs to answer in relation to the Giant's Causeway and other developments.

"Obviously Paisley Jnr has recognized that it is now time to resign from his position as a junior minister."

The DUP Deputy Leader Peter Robinson, reacted to the resignation by noting that the resignation would end the "distraction" of the media attention on the business of the executive and Assembly, praising Mr Paisley's decision: "Recent media coverage in relation to Ian Paisley Jnr has acted as a distraction from the important business of the Executive.

"Today I believe Ian Paisley Jnr has taken the right decision for the right reason.

"In drawing this particular chapter to a close, I think it is important to record that in the last 10 months Ian Paisley Jnr has made a significant contribution to both the office of the first and deputy first minister and to the work of the wider Executive in often difficult personal circumstances."