A man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of taking a photograph of the Rev Ian Paisley in his hospital bed. Dr Paisley is still being treated at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonand in east Belfast for a serious heart condition.
The PSNI said the 41-year-old was arrested as part of an investigation into an allegation of misconduct in a public office.
Police did not confirm that he was arrested on suspicion of taking a photograph of Dr Paisley in the hospital but informed sources said this was the case.
The man was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Last week the North Antrim MP Ian Paisley junior said that his father was "making steady progress". "He has demonstrated that there is life in the old dog yet. He is a very hearty and strong man," he said.
Over a week ago the former First Minister and DUP leader was moved out of the intensive care unit of the hospital where he was admitted on February 5th.
Mr Paisley junior praised the staff at the Ulster Hospital who are helping to treat his 85-year-old father.
"The doctors, the nurses, the domestics, all of the people at that hospital have been quite frankly fabulous,"
he told the BBC.
"We have also sat with other relatives who go through the same thing and aren't high-profile and we have witnessed that they too are getting great service. I think that is a very good advertisement for the new facility at the Ulster Hospital."