Ian Paisley announces his decision to step down as First Minister in May

Today the Rev. Dr Ian Paisley announced his decision to step down as First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the DUP in May this year.

Doctor Paisley has provided outstanding leadership as First Minister and has brought his party to the historic position of power-sharing government in Northern Ireland.

The established peace and continuing prosperity which everyone in Northern Ireland now enjoys undoubtedly owes a significant debt to the leadership of Dr Paisley.

Whilst the future leadership of the DUP is obviously a matter for his party, we should all recognise the achievements of this very considerable figure in the history and politics of Northern Ireland