THREE recall petition centres have opened in North Antrim with politicians in Ballymena reporting queues at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre first thing this morning.
Speaking outside the petition centre in Ballymoney Sinn Féin North Antrim assemly member Philip McGuigan said it was not an "orange and green issue" but "an issue of integrity".
Mid and East Antrim SDLP councillor Declan O'Loan encouraged all registered voters in the constituency to add their name to the recall petition.
If 10 cent of registered voters sign the petition Ian Paisley must resign as MP and a by-election will be triggered.
Three petition centres - in Ballymena, Ballymoney and Ballycastle - have been set up and will remain open for the next six weeks.
The first recall petition in UK parliamentary history was launched following the DUP MP's suspension from the House of Commons.
Mr Paisley has been suspended for 30 sitting days after he failed to declare two luxury family holidays to Sri Lanka, paid for by the country's government.
It’s 9.01am and there’s a queue out to the door at Ballymena 7 Towers to sign the petition to unseat Paisley!
— Patrice Hardy (@MisssPatrice) August 8, 2018
SDLP councillor Declan O'Loan said a queue was building at the petition centre in Ballymena first thing this morning.
"Clearly this is a matter of great concern to the public as it is to me. It is very important to stand up for integrity in politics, and I encourage all electors in North Antrim to sign the petition."
A total of 75,478 people are registered to vote in North Antrim – meaning 7,547 signatures will trigger a by-election.
Speaking outside the petition centre in Ballymoney Sinn Féin North Antrim assemly member Philip McGuigan said: "This is an issue of integrity in government, it is not an orange and green issue.
"This is not even about nationalism versus unionism. This is an issue about trust in your politicians that they will do their jobs with integrity."
Video: A recall petition has opened which could see Ian Paisley ousted as North Antrim MP. Philip McGuigan of Sinn Fein is urging a high turn out of constituents who favour a by-election. @PA pic.twitter.com/WQijNvb7a7
— michael mchugh (@mmchugh02) August 8, 2018
Read more:
- Ian Paisley as documented by Ian Knox
- Analysis: North Antrim will back Ian Paisley despite scandal (premium)