Ian Paisley to step down as MP

Speaking to a weekly newspaper, the 83-year-old confirmed he will not be defending the North Antrim seat he has held successfully since 1970.

Despite having obtaining a majority of approximately 18,000 votes in the 2005 election, the former First Minister and DUP leader was widely expected to stand down as a Westminster MP.

There is speculation that his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, will run as his father's replacement where he will face TUV leader Jim Allister in a widely anticipated battle of the current mood within unionism.

The North Antrim DUP constituency association will meet next week to formally select Dr Paisley's successor.

In an in-depth interview with the News Letter last week, Mr Paisley declined to comment on his political future.

However, the former First Minister who shocked political observers when he went into government with Sinn Fein in 2007, said the Executive could achieve more if there was a better relationship between Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

Reacting to the news that Mr Paisley would not be seeking re-election in North Antrim, TUV leader Jim Allister said he was not surprised at his former party leader's decison.

"Whatever his achievements in earlier years as a towering parliamentarian, in this parliament he was not giving North Antrim the voice it needed, turning up for only 18 per cent of the votes," he said.

"For one who once championed traditional unionism – with such colourful pledges as Sinn Fein only getting into government over his dead body - sadly his abiding legacy will be of bequeathing Ulster terrorist -inclusive government. This legacy will inevitably be an issue at the polls."

Paying tribute to Dr Paisley's public service, North Antrim party colleague Mervyn Storey said: "Dr Paisley served the people of North Antrim as their Member of Parliament for the majority of his adult life. During that time he has helped people from every corner of the constituency and from every background.

"When Dr. Paisley was returned as North Antrim's MP, social deprivation within the area was rife. An enormous number of my constituents didn't even have running water. Successive Official Unionist MPs took the people for granted. Dr. Paisley has never done so. He was determined that the years of neglect of the North Antrim area would be brought to an end.

"Now, 40 years later we have attracted massive investment in the area and, more importantly, have seen the threat of Republicanism and a United Ireland defeated. Dr. Paisley played a central role in creating that situation. The families of North Antrim can now have confidence that their children will grow up in a peaceful, stable and prosperous part of the United Kingdom – that is Dr. Paisley's positive legacy

"It has been my privilege to have served alongside of Dr Paisley in recent years. People used to try to insult us in the DUP by calling us 'Paisleyites.' They didn't realise it, but they were paying us a compliment. This confirmed Paisleyite has no hesitation in saying that Ian Paisley has been both a great man and a great servant to North Antrim, Unionism and Ulster. He deserves our thanks for the years of service and sacrifice."

North Antrim DUP Association Chairman John Finlay said: "Dr. Paisley made an enormous contribution to the economic and social regeneration of North Antrim.

"As a constituency MP he was diligent and hard-working and always went out of his way to help people regardless of their background or beliefs. The strong team of DUP Assembly Members and councillors in North Antrim will continue working for the people of the area, in the best tradition established by our out-going Member of Parliament"

Alliance leader David Ford said: "Ian Paisley has a very significant reputation as a representative of the people of North Antrim. Despite all the controversies of his early political life, he worked for individuals regardless of their background.

"The news that he intends to step down as MP for the constituency really does mark the end of an era. His successor will have a hard act to follow."