Ian Paisley Jnr suspended from DUP

DUP MP Ian Paisley Jnr has been suspended by the party after a 30-day suspension from the Commons for failing to declare luxury holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government was confirmed

His suspension will begin after the summer recess on 4 September, and could see him face a by-election if 10 per cent of his constituents sign an official recall petition. Mr Paisley has vowed to fight for his seat if he faces a by-election.

In March 2014, he lobbied against a UN resolution to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the Sri Lankan civil war without declaring two holidays.

Sir Kevin Barron MP, chairman of the Commons committee on standards, said Mr Paisley was guilty of “serious misconduct”.

The DUP said it was suspending him pending an investigation and took the matter “very seriously”.