Political rivals have urged the North Antrim representative to resign after allegations he holidayed in the Maldives courtesy of the Indian Ocean nation’s government.
The DUP has pledged to examine the “very serious” claims levelled in a BBC Spotlight NI investigation.
Mr Paisley has denied the holiday was paid for by the Maldives government, instead insisting an unnamed friend part-funded the 2016 vacation.
Sinn Fein, the SDLP and Ulster Unionists have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Kathryn Stone urging her to investigate the case.
Mr Paisley himself contacted Ms Stone’s office on Wednesday to seek a meeting to discuss the claims made.
Sinn Fein and the SDLP said Mr Paisley should resign and, if he did not, DUP leader Arlene Foster was obliged to take action against him.
Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said the programme raised serious questions over his rival’s judgment.
The claims aired by Spotlight came days after Mr Paisley returned to Parliament having served a 30-day suspension for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government and lobbying on its behalf.
He narrowly avoided facing a by-election after Parliament’s first ever recall petition fell short of the number of constituent signatures required to oust him by around 450.
Commenting on the…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.