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Ian Paisley: Private funeral for former DUP leader Ian Paisley: Private funeral for former DUP leader
(35 minutes later)
The funeral of Ian Paisley, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, will take place later.The funeral of Ian Paisley, the former Democratic Unionist Party leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, will take place later.
He will be buried in County Down, following a private funeral service at his family home in east Belfast.He will be buried in County Down, following a private funeral service at his family home in east Belfast.
Mr Paisley, who stepped down from politics in 2008, passed away on Friday, aged 88.Mr Paisley, who stepped down from politics in 2008, passed away on Friday, aged 88.
As a mark of respect, Northern Ireland Assembly business has been suspended as MLAs pay tributes in the chamber.As a mark of respect, Northern Ireland Assembly business has been suspended as MLAs pay tributes in the chamber.
They will also sign a book of condolence in Stormont's Great Hall - members of the public are also invited to do so. His successor as first minister and DUP leader, Peter Robinson, told MLAs: "Ian Paisley was a remarkable man, whose long career in public life has left an indelible mark upon all of us who knew him.
"Like so many , I was drawn towards politics by the clarity, the certainty, the strength and the conviction of his message."
The first minister said Mr Paisley had "taken his place in the chronicles of Ulster history, alongside the greats of unionism".
Mr Robinson added that since his death, politics seemed "a little less colourful and exciting".
"Ulster will never see the like of him again, he was an exceptional human being," he said.
After the tributes, MLAs will sign a book of condolence in Stormont's Great Hall - members of the public are also invited to do so.
A book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday, where the union flag is flying at half-mast.A book of condolence opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday, where the union flag is flying at half-mast.
A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said the flag had been displayed under the College of Arms policy.A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council said the flag had been displayed under the College of Arms policy.
The policy states the flag should fly at half-mast to mark the the funerals of first ministers and ex-first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.The policy states the flag should fly at half-mast to mark the the funerals of first ministers and ex-first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
All DUP constituency offices will be closed on Monday, as a mark of respect to its founder and former leader.All DUP constituency offices will be closed on Monday, as a mark of respect to its founder and former leader.
Several books of condolence for Mr Paisley were opened in towns and cities in Northern Ireland on Saturday.Several books of condolence for Mr Paisley were opened in towns and cities in Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Mr Paisley moved from a political "never man" to Northern Ireland's first minister.Mr Paisley moved from a political "never man" to Northern Ireland's first minister.
He ended up leading a power-sharing executive at Stormont - although he had supported the strike to bring one down 30 years earlier.He ended up leading a power-sharing executive at Stormont - although he had supported the strike to bring one down 30 years earlier.
Mr Paisley was a founder of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a split with the Presbyterian Church - he resigned as as moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church in 2008.Mr Paisley was a founder of the Free Presbyterian Church in 1951 after a split with the Presbyterian Church - he resigned as as moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church in 2008.
In 2011, he told the congregation at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in south Belfast that he was stepping down from ministry.In 2011, he told the congregation at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church in south Belfast that he was stepping down from ministry.