The former DUP leader’s death has been announced on the BBC.
The BBC are reporting that the former leader of the DUP has died. His wife Eileen has issued the following statement.
“My beloved husband, Ian, entered his eternal rest this morning.
“Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken.
“We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed.
“According to Ian’s wishes his funeral will be private and attended only by the immediate family, as will be his burial.
“As a family we appreciate that there will be an expectation by those who admired him to express their gratitude for his life and their sorrow at his passing.
“To that end we will in due course publish details of a public memorial service which, will be scheduled later in the year.
“There will be no further comment or statements made by me or the family at this time.”
Paisley was one of the leading, and most divisive, figures in Northern Ireland for the last 50 years. From his role as head of the Free Presbyterian Church, Paisley rose to become one of the most strident voices of the Unionist movement. He led the campaign that brought down the Sunningdale agreement in the 1970s and he also orchestrated a huge push against the Anglo-Irish Agreement in the 1980s.
In later years he remarkably mellowed to work with his former sworn enemy Martin McGuinness, becoming First Minister of Northern Ireland in 2007 with McGuinness as his deputy. They became so affable they were known as the Chuckle Brothers.
Paisley would resign the role just over a year later.
Martin McGuinness has passed on his condolences in a tweet.
Very sad to learn that Ian Paisley has died.My deepest sympathy to his wife Eileen & family.Once political opponents – I have lost a friend.
— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) September 12, 2014
Gerry Adams has now joined his party colleague by extending sympathy to the Paisley family.
Just heard of Ian Paisleys death. There will b lots of discussion of his role but on my behalf & SF Sympathy 2 Eileen & the Paisley family.
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) September 12, 2014
More to follow…
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