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/8116501.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Paisley 'may stand again as MP' | Paisley 'may stand again as MP' |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Ian Paisley has said he is thinking of standing again as an MP at the next general election. | Ian Paisley has said he is thinking of standing again as an MP at the next general election. |
| The former DUP leader has told the House Magazine that although he has largely withdrawn from public life he thinks he would fight another election. | The former DUP leader has told the House Magazine that although he has largely withdrawn from public life he thinks he would fight another election. |
| After he stood down as first minister in 2008 it was widely thought that he would also retire from Westminster. | After he stood down as first minister in 2008 it was widely thought that he would also retire from Westminster. |
| It was also expected that his son, Ian Jnr would be selected to fight the seat against a challenge from the TUV. | |
| Mr Paisley told the political journal: "I think I would stand as an MP again. My wife is in the House of Lords, so I'll leave her to deal with the noble lordships." | Mr Paisley told the political journal: "I think I would stand as an MP again. My wife is in the House of Lords, so I'll leave her to deal with the noble lordships." |
| TUV's Jim Allister said in response: "It is clear that the DUP have been panicked by Traditional Unionists and that the party lacks confidence in Ian Paisley Jnr. | |
| "I look forward to the verdict of the people of North Antrim on the chuckle routine and the record of their absentee Westminster representative." | |
| Mr Paisley, who is 83, has held the North Antrim seat since 1970. | Mr Paisley, who is 83, has held the North Antrim seat since 1970. |
| At the last general election he polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000. | At the last general election he polled 25,156 votes, giving him a majority of nearly 18,000. |
| Earlier this month he issued a challenge to TUV leader Jim Allister to fight him for his seat. | Earlier this month he issued a challenge to TUV leader Jim Allister to fight him for his seat. |
| 'Hiding' | |
| In a BBC Northern Ireland interview he said his former DUP colleague was more than welcome to run in North Antrim at the next general election. | In a BBC Northern Ireland interview he said his former DUP colleague was more than welcome to run in North Antrim at the next general election. |
| "He is very welcome to come and get a hiding in North Antrim," he said. | "He is very welcome to come and get a hiding in North Antrim," he said. |
| Mr Paisley later added that although the TUV polled well in the European elections, the party was still defeated by the DUP. | Mr Paisley later added that although the TUV polled well in the European elections, the party was still defeated by the DUP. |