Petition could see shamed MP forced from office
A BID to force a by-election which could unseat North Antrim MP Ian Paisley is about restoring trust in politicians, one of his leading critics said.
The first ever recall petition opened yesterday after the senior Democratic Unionist was suspended from the Commons for 30 sitting days over his failure to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.
Mr Paisley could become the first MP to lose his seat under legislation introduced by the former coalition government following the Westminster expenses scandal, despite the fact that the DUP has a massive majority in North Antrim.
Should 10 per cent of the electorate, or 7,543 people, sign the petition, then a by-election will be held. Mr Paisley is currently suspended from the DUP pending a party investigation.
If he loses the backing of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist party, his prospects for re-election would be damaged.
Sinn Fein’s Stormont Assembly member Philip McGuigan said: “This is an issue of integrity in Government, it is not an orange and green issue.
“This is not even about nationalism versus unionism.
“This is an issue about trust in your politicians that they will do their jobs with integrity.”
In March 2014, senior Democratic Unionist Mr Paisley lobbied the then Prime Minister David Cameron against a proposed United Nations resolution to investigate alleged human rights abuses during a civil war on the Indian Ocean island without disclosing his financial benefit.
Mr Paisley has already apologised for what he said was his “unintentional failure” to register the hospitality.
He has vowed to fight any byelection campaign.
The DUP’s 10 pro-Brexit MPs are crucial allies of Prime Minister Theresa May’s minority Government.
The recall petition will be open for signing for six weeks.
Mr Paisley has been MP for the constituency since 2010, following in the footsteps of his father and DUP founder Ian Paisley.
The petition can be signed at centres in Ballymena, Ballymoney and Ballycastle, and the Electoral Office is running the petition process.