This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7919598.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Paisley cleared over holiday home Paisley cleared over holiday home
(4 days later)
Ian Paisley Jnr has been cleared of breaking Assembly rules over his purchase of a holiday home from developer Seymour Sweeney.Ian Paisley Jnr has been cleared of breaking Assembly rules over his purchase of a holiday home from developer Seymour Sweeney.
The Stormont Standards Committee probed the transaction after a complaint from Ballymena unionist Lyle Cubitt.The Stormont Standards Committee probed the transaction after a complaint from Ballymena unionist Lyle Cubitt.
Mr Cubitt claimed that the DUP MLA had been given a lower price than other buyers for the property.Mr Cubitt claimed that the DUP MLA had been given a lower price than other buyers for the property.
He said that this amounted to a "partial gift" and that Mr Paisley had therefore breached Assembly guidelines.He said that this amounted to a "partial gift" and that Mr Paisley had therefore breached Assembly guidelines.
However, Stormont Interim Standards Commissioner Tom Frawley told the committee on Monday that the estate agent involved in the development considered Mr Paisley had paid a "fair price" for the holiday home.However, Stormont Interim Standards Commissioner Tom Frawley told the committee on Monday that the estate agent involved in the development considered Mr Paisley had paid a "fair price" for the holiday home.
Mr Frawley added that the North Antrim assembly member subsequently had no interest to register in respect of the purchase.Mr Frawley added that the North Antrim assembly member subsequently had no interest to register in respect of the purchase.
Mr Paisley said he was "delighted but not surprised" by the ruling which followed an eight-month investigation.Mr Paisley said he was "delighted but not surprised" by the ruling which followed an eight-month investigation.
"These were malicious, damaging, hurtful, spiteful claims made by a political rival who I beat in a previous election," he said. He said the allegations were "damaging and hurtful".
"Indeed they partly resulted in me having to stand down as a minister in government, as a result of the disproportionate media circus that went around with the claims that were made." "Indeed they partly resulted in me having to stand down as a minister in government, as a result of the disproportionate media circus that went around with the claims that were made," he said.
Mr Paisley also said he had instructed his solicitor to pursue a "serious defamation" which resulted from the claims.Mr Paisley also said he had instructed his solicitor to pursue a "serious defamation" which resulted from the claims.