Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley is to stand down from the post in May, he has announced.
Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley is to stand down from the post in May, he has announced.
He also said he would be resigning as leader of the DUP, a party he has led for almost 40 years.
He also said he would be resigning as leader of the DUP, a party he has led for almost 40 years.
Mr Paisley, who will be 82 in April, took the post of first minister in May 2007 following the suspension of direct rule after a period of five years.
Mr Paisley, who will be 82 in April, took the post of first minister in May 2007 following the suspension of direct rule after a period of five years.
He said he would continue to serve as an MP and an MLA for the North Antrim constituency.
He said he would continue to serve as an MP and an MLA for the North Antrim constituency.
"I came to this decision a few weeks ago when I was thinking very much about the forthcoming investment conference and what was going to come after the conference," he said.
"I came to this decision a few weeks ago when I was thinking very much about the forthcoming investment conference and what was going to come after the conference," he said.
"I thought that it is a marker, a very big marker and it would be a very appropriate time for me to bow out."
"I thought that it is a marker, a very big marker and it would be a very appropriate time for me to bow out."
New leader
New leader
While it is expected that his current deputy Peter Robinson will succeed him as party leader, Mr Paisley said it was up to the DUP to make the decision.
While it is expected that his current deputy Peter Robinson will succeed him as party leader, Mr Paisley said it was up to the DUP to make the decision.
"This is not the Church of Rome," he said.
"This is not the Church of Rome," he said.
"This is not Apostolic succession and I have no right to say who will succeed me.
"This is not Apostolic succession and I have no right to say who will succeed me.
"The person will succeed me when the mark is on the paper and the ballot is cast."
"The person will succeed me when the mark is on the paper and the ballot is cast."
Mr Paisley's announcement followed speculation that senior party members were unhappy about the appointment of his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, to the Policing Board.
Mr Paisley's announcement followed speculation that senior party members were unhappy about the appointment of his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, to the Policing Board.
Last month, Mr Paisley Jnr resigned as a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.
Last month, Mr Paisley Jnr resigned as a junior minister in the Northern Ireland Executive.
His resignation followed criticism over his links to developer Seymour Sweeney and controversy over lobbying activity.
His resignation followed criticism over his links to developer Seymour Sweeney and controversy over lobbying activity.
However, Mr Paisley said the recent controversy had nothing to do with his decision to step aside.
However, Mr Paisley said the recent controversy had nothing to do with his decision to step aside.
"I never even considered it. I felt that my son was very badly treated," he said.
"I never even considered it. I felt that my son was very badly treated," he said.
"I am not a fool, people who thought that they could get at me got at him.
"I am not a fool, people who thought that they could get at me, got at him.
"They thought they could damage me by the damage they sought to take out on him, but that did not move me."
"They thought they could damage me by the damage they sought to take out on him, but that did not move me."
'Not unexpected'
'Not unexpected'
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said his ministerial colleague's move was not unexpected.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said his ministerial colleague's move was not unexpected.
"The historic decision he took to go into government with Sinn Fein has changed the face of Irish politics forever," he said.
"The historic decision he took to go into government with Sinn Fein has changed the face of Irish politics forever," he said.
"I think that he will be fondly remembered by the people Of Ireland - north and south for the very courageous leadership that he showed."
"I think that he will be fondly remembered by the people of Ireland - north and south - for the very courageous leadership that he showed."
MEP Jim Allister, who resigned from the DUP over its decision to share power with Sinn Fein, said Mr Paisley had "served his purpose" within the party.
"It has been quite clear for some time that Ian Paisley was going to be hung out to dry by the DUP pragmatists," he said.
"He had delivered what they had devised, but couldn't sell themselves - government with unrepentant terrorists."
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mr Paisley's resignation should not distract from political progress at Stormont.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said Mr Paisley's resignation should not distract from political progress at Stormont.
"While this is very significant political news, there is responsibility on all of us as politicians to make the most of the political processes here no matter who comes or goes," he said.
"While this is very significant political news, there is responsibility on all of us as politicians to make the most of the political processes here no matter who comes or goes," he said.
Was this the right decision? What does it mean for politics in Northern Ireland? Send us your comments using the form below.
Was this the right decision? What does it mean for politics in Northern Ireland? Send us your comments using the form below.
