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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Robinson tipped as new DUP leader | Robinson tipped as new DUP leader |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson is being viewed as the clear favourite to take over as DUP leader after Ian Paisley steps down in May. | Stormont Finance Minister Peter Robinson is being viewed as the clear favourite to take over as DUP leader after Ian Paisley steps down in May. |
| It is understood the DUP assembly party can pick a new leader without an election involving the wider party. | It is understood the DUP assembly party can pick a new leader without an election involving the wider party. |
| East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said he did not envisage a bitter contest for Ian Paisley's successor. | East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said he did not envisage a bitter contest for Ian Paisley's successor. |
| "I do not envisage there being a contest, let alone a bitter contest," Mr Campbell said. | "I do not envisage there being a contest, let alone a bitter contest," Mr Campbell said. |
| 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. | 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." | "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. |
| Ian Paisley has announced his resignation | |
| DUP MLA Jeffrey Donaldson said he would be backing Mr Robinson as the new leader. | |
| "He would be my favourite. He is probably one of the most skilled if not the most skilled strategists within unionism and politics in Nrothern Ireland. | |
| "He has proven that time after time, he has been the deputy leader for many years within the DUP and as such has proven his leadership skills. I think he will be a very popular choice right across the party." | |
| 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." |
| Mr Paisley's announcement that he is to step down 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 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. |
| 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 when a devolved government was restored to Northern Ireland. | He became first minister in May 2007 when a devolved government was restored to Northern Ireland. |
| 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 Féin 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. |