A MAJOR anti-protocol rally in Co Down and the DUP's conference have been called off following the sudden death of MLA Christopher Stalford.
DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was due to address the rally at Crossgar Orange Hall on Friday night, along with TUV leader Jim Allister, Ulster Unionist councillor Jill Macauley, and former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib.
However, Lecale District Orange lodge said the event had been cancelled as a mark of respect.
The rally will be held on March 11. It will also feature an additional speaker - former Labour MP Baroness Kate Hoey.
He was a veteran Orangeman.
"The officers and brethren of Lecale District LOL Number 2 extend their sincere Christian sympathies to the entire Stalford family and his party at this time of grief," the lodge said.
An anti-protocol rally in Carlton Street Orange Hall in Portadown, Co Armagh, will still go ahead tonight.
The DUP's conference was scheduled for Saturday.
However, it has been postponed to allow party members to attend Mr Stalford's funeral in Belfast.
The conference is expected to be held in the autumn.
Mr Stalford was principal deputy speaker and had represented South Belfast since 2016, having served previously as councillor, high sheriff of Belfast and deputy mayor.
He will be laid to rest on Saturday afternoon.
The funeral service will be held at Ravenhill Presbyterian Church on Ravenhill Road in Belfast at 2pm.
The politician will be laid to rest in Ballygowan Free Presbyterian Church graveyard - the same final resting place as Rev Ian Paisley.
Mr Stalford is survived by his wife Laura and children Trinity, Oliver, Cameron and Abigail.
In a statement, Mr Stalford's family said although the funeral will be open to everyone, a service in the family home and the committal will be private.
"Laura and the Stalford family thank everyone for their kind messages and lovely words in recent days," the statement read.
"They have been so comforting to the family at this incredibly sad time.
"They appreciate the respect for their privacy so far and request that the family continue to be given the space to come to terms with their loss."
Presbyterian moderator Dr David Bruce extended his "sympathy and sincere condolences to Christopher Stalford's family, his wider church family at Ravenhill Presbyterian and his political family, who mourn his untimely loss so very keenly".
