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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Focus turns to Paisley succession | Focus turns to Paisley succession |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Speculation is expected to intensify about who will succeed Ian Paisley as DUP leader and first minister of Northern Ireland. | Speculation is expected to intensify about who will succeed Ian Paisley as DUP leader and first minister of Northern Ireland. |
| The clear favourite is current DUP deputy leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson, with Nigel Dodds expected to fill the deputy position. | The clear favourite is current DUP deputy leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson, with Nigel Dodds expected to fill the deputy position. |
| Mr Robinson would not be drawn on his future plans. | |
| "I don't think anybody is ruling themselves in or out - there is not at this moment a vacancy," he said. | |
| "We're under the leadership of Dr Paisley, and the party will decide those issues at the appropriate time using its own procedures." | |
| The 81-year-old will step down as first minister and DUP leader in May. | The 81-year-old will step down as first minister and DUP leader in May. |
| Responding to questions about his replacement, Mr Paisley said: "This is not Apostolic succession." | Responding to questions about his replacement, Mr Paisley said: "This is not Apostolic succession." |
| "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." | "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." |
| Paying tribute to Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson said: "It has been said that the greatest test of a politician's success is the degree to which he forces his opponents to change. | Paying tribute to Ian Paisley, Peter Robinson said: "It has been said that the greatest test of a politician's success is the degree to which he forces his opponents to change. |
| "By that standard, Ian Paisley's career has been a remarkable and outstanding success." | "By that standard, Ian Paisley's career has been a remarkable and outstanding success." |
| Mr Paisley's announcement that he is to step down in May 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 that he is to step down in May followed speculation that senior party members were unhappy about the appointment of his son, Ian Paisley Jnr, to the Policing Board. |
| 'Not unexpected' | 'Not unexpected' |
| 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. |
| The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as first minister Prime Minister Gordon Brown | The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as first minister Prime Minister Gordon Brown |
| Mr Paisley Snr said he planned to continue as MP and MLA for North Antrim. | Mr Paisley Snr said he planned to continue as MP and MLA for North Antrim. |
| He became first minister in May 2007 following the suspension of direct rule after a period of five years. | He became first minister in May 2007 following the suspension of direct rule after a period of five years. |
| 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. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Paisley had made a huge contribution to political life in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Paisley had made a huge contribution to political life in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. |
| "The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as first minister," he said. | "The whole country values and admires the manner in which he has led as first minister," he said. |
| Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said he did not believe Mr Paisley's decision would affect the future of the power-sharing government. | Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said he did not believe Mr Paisley's decision would affect the future of the power-sharing government. |
| "I honestly believe that (devolution) will last because I believe there are very pragmatic people in all of the parties," he said. | "I honestly believe that (devolution) will last because I believe there are very pragmatic people in all of the parties," he said. |