Alliance Leader: ‘Paisley a larger than life character

PACEMAKER BELFAST 26/9/2005
DUP leader Ian Paisley gives his reactions to the announcement of the de Chastelain report at a press conference at DUP HQ in Belfast this afternoon. Also pictured are Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds..
PHOTO CHARLES MCQUILLAN/PACEMAKER
20/01/2014 Former DUP leader and party founder Rev Ian Paisley claims in a BBC interview to be aired this evening, that he was forced to quit the party he founded and led by the two men now in charge, Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds. — PACEMAKER BELFAST 26/9/2005 DUP leader Ian Paisley gives his reactions to the announcement of the de Chastelain report at a press conference at DUP HQ in Belfast this afternoon. Also pictured are Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds.. PHOTO CHARLES MCQUILLAN/PACEMAKER 20/01/2014 Former DUP leader and party founder Rev Ian Paisley claims in a BBC interview to be aired this evening, that he was forced to quit the party he founded and led by the two men now in charge, Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds.

David Ford MLA said “Ian Paisley 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. 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.

“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I would like to extend my sympathies to Baroness Paisley and his children and grandchildren who will miss him the most.”