Paisley Jnr back on policing body

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It is understood that the former Stormont minister Ian Paisley Junior is to be appointed as one of his party's representatives on the Policing Board.

He takes the place vacated by Jeffrey Donaldson, who replaced him as a junior minister in the executive.

Mr Paisley, who has previously served on the Policing Board, resigned his ministerial position on Tuesday.

His resignation followed criticism over his links to developer Seymour Sweeney and controversy over lobbying activity.

Mr Paisley strongly denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

Earlier on Friday, he said he would support Mr Sweeney's appeal against a decision to refuse him planning permission for a visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway.

'Adverse'

Last September, Environment Minister Arlene Foster said she was "minded" to approve the plans.

But in January, she said the proposal would have an adverse impact on the world heritage site.

However, Mr Paisley said he has never been dissuaded by any argument against Mr Sweeney's proposal.

"If Mr Sweeney brings the application to me in its current format, I will be supporting it," he said.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Sweeney's company, Seaport, said the reasons for the refusal were "not sustainable".

The Giant's Causeway attracts nearly 500,000 visitors a year.

The previous visitors' centre on the site burned down in April 2000.

Renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt - resulting from a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago - it is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland.