Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley today brushed off questions about the resignation of his son as a minister in the Belfast administration.
The resignation of Ian Paisley jnr was the first question put to Dr Paisley when he and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness held a press conference in Edinburgh today with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Dr Paisley's son is taking part in the visit to Scotland by the leaders of Northern Ireland's power-sharing Executive, but the event has been overshadowed by his resignation which has also raised questions over the political future of Dr Paisley himself.
But asked at a press conference at Edinburgh Castle if he was saddened by the resignation, Dr Paisley retorted: "I won't make any comments whatsoever to the press about internal matters in Northern Ireland.
"I am here on business for all of the people of Northern Ireland."
He told his questioner: "We have done big business today and if you want to sidetrack it you can sidetrack it as much as you have done in the past.
"I have a fairly hard rhinoceros skin — and I think I will not be skinned by you or the likes of you."
Dr Paisley's son stepped down on Monday as a junior minister in the Belfast administration after a spate of stories about his business and political dealings.
The Northern Ireland team began their visit today with a tour of the Scottish Parliament Building.
At the Edinburgh Castle press conference, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the two administrations had discussed progress on a joint proposal for a ferry service between Campbeltown in Argyll and Ballycastle in Antrim.
