Paisley to become member of British privy council

DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley is to be appointed to the British privy council, Downing Street has confirmed, and in that role…

DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley is to be appointed to the British privy council, Downing Street has confirmed, and in that role will shortly meet Queen Elizabeth.

This is seen as another marking of the DUP coming in from the political cold.

Other Northern Ireland privy council members include former Ulster Unionist leader Lord Molyneaux and David Trimble. In future in the House of Commons, the DUP leader will be addressed as the "right honourable" rather than the "honourable" Dr Paisley.

Members of the party, including Dr Paisley's wife, Eileen, are expected to be appointed to the House of Lords shortly.

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"The queen has been pleased to approve Ian Paisley be sworn of her majesty's most honourable privy council," a Downing Street statement said.

Dr Paisley is entitled to this post as leader of the fourth largest political party in the House of Commons. The function of the council is largely ceremonial.

Appointment is for life but only British ministers of state engage in the council's policy work.

Sir Reg Empey, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, congratulated Dr Paisley on his appointment. "The announcement is recognition of Dr Paisley's long service in parliament and to the people of North Antrim. I wish him well in his new role," he said.

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson said the appointment was a tremendous personal honour for Dr Paisley and "a recognition of the sea-change in Ulster politics".

"The appointment is greatly deserved and an appropriate recognition for an exceptional parliamentarian," said Mr Robinson.

"For close to half a century Ian Paisley has dominated the political landscape of our province and far beyond. He is one MP who consistently captures the attention of the House of Commons.

"His vision for unionism and Northern Ireland has gained more and more public support as time after time his warnings and judgment was proven sound.

"From being a lone voice in parliament when he first entered it in 1970, he now leads a team of nine members of parliament as the head of the United Kingdom's fourth largest party," he added.

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times