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Complaint over Paisley employment Complaint over Paisley employment
(10 minutes later)
A complaint has been made to the parliamentary standards commissioner about First Minister Ian Paisley employing his son as a researcher.A complaint has been made to the parliamentary standards commissioner about First Minister Ian Paisley employing his son as a researcher.
Ian Paisley Jnr was receiving a salary from his father's Westminster allowance of between £9,000 and £11,000.Ian Paisley Jnr was receiving a salary from his father's Westminster allowance of between £9,000 and £11,000.
He was receiving the payment as well as £62,000 a year for his posts as a NI junior minister and an MLA.He was receiving the payment as well as £62,000 a year for his posts as a NI junior minister and an MLA.
Commissioner John Lyon will examine the complaint before deciding whether it merits a full investigation.Commissioner John Lyon will examine the complaint before deciding whether it merits a full investigation.
Mr Paisley Jnr has been working as a research assistant for his MP father since 1998.
Earlier, Ian Paisley Jnr said his family's "brand" had not been damaged by a spate of recent allegations.Earlier, Ian Paisley Jnr said his family's "brand" had not been damaged by a spate of recent allegations.
Speaking at one of his last functions as junior minister, the DUP assembly member said he was delighted at the support shown by members of the public.Speaking at one of his last functions as junior minister, the DUP assembly member said he was delighted at the support shown by members of the public.
"At the end of the day, I've never lost touch with the grassroots," he said on Thursday."At the end of the day, I've never lost touch with the grassroots," he said on Thursday.
"If I was a dosser, a time-waster, if I was someone who just used the position for position's sake, I couldn't show my face to people.""If I was a dosser, a time-waster, if I was someone who just used the position for position's sake, I couldn't show my face to people."
He added: "I have been overwhelmed by the amount of calls, letters and the reaction I get when I go into public."He added: "I have been overwhelmed by the amount of calls, letters and the reaction I get when I go into public."
A lot of people are perplexed as to why it had to happen Ian Paisley Jnr Mr Paisley was speaking to the media for the first time since Monday's resignation, at an event to promote the North West 200 motorcycle race.A lot of people are perplexed as to why it had to happen Ian Paisley Jnr Mr Paisley was speaking to the media for the first time since Monday's resignation, at an event to promote the North West 200 motorcycle race.
He was just back from Edinburgh, where he had been part of a Stormont delegation meeting Scottish counterparts.He was just back from Edinburgh, where he had been part of a Stormont delegation meeting Scottish counterparts.
On that visit, his first minister father had refused to answer questions about his political future sparked by the resignation.On that visit, his first minister father had refused to answer questions about his political future sparked by the resignation.
But Ian Paisley Jnr said his father had always been under political pressure throughout his career.But Ian Paisley Jnr said his father had always been under political pressure throughout his career.
"As he said, he has a 'rhinoceros hide' and he does it in his own characteristic way," he said."As he said, he has a 'rhinoceros hide' and he does it in his own characteristic way," he said.
"The Paisley brand, in terms of governing Northern Ireland, has been very effective, not only in Northern Ireland but across the United Kingdom and across the world.""The Paisley brand, in terms of governing Northern Ireland, has been very effective, not only in Northern Ireland but across the United Kingdom and across the world."
He said the response he had received from well-wishers since his resignation showed that the brand had not been damaged.He said the response he had received from well-wishers since his resignation showed that the brand had not been damaged.
"A lot of people are perplexed as to why it had to happen," he said."A lot of people are perplexed as to why it had to happen," he said.