Politics

Ian Paisley and Sri Lanka: How the scandal unfolded

 Ian Paisley failed to declare two luxury family holidays to Sri Lanka
 Ian Paisley failed to declare two luxury family holidays to Sri Lanka  Ian Paisley failed to declare two luxury family holidays to Sri Lanka

A timeline from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards's report on Ian Paisley:

March 30 to April 5 2013      

Mr Paisley and his family visit Sri Lanka


July 2013

Mr Paisley and his family make a second visit to Sri Lanka


November 18 2013

Mr Paisley registers a visit to Sri Lanka from 11 to 15 November 2013


The Hilton Hotel in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where Mr Paisley and his family stayed
The Hilton Hotel in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where Mr Paisley and his family stayed The Hilton Hotel in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where Mr Paisley and his family stayed

March 19 2014

Mr Paisley writes to the British Prime Minister about British government policy on Sri Lanka

September 8 2017

Daily Telegraph article appears

Mr Paisley tweets a denial

Mr Paisley refers himself to the commissioner

September 13 2017

Inquiry initiated

September 28 2017

Mr Paisley responds to the allegations

October 24 2017

Commissioner obtains Daily Telegraph’s evidence

October 30 2017

Mr Paisley provides information about his recollection of the dates and value of the visits; and provides copy of letter of 19 March 2014

November 13 2017

Commissioner invites Mr Paisley to comment on Daily Telegraph evidence

Sri Lankan government paid for business class tickets for Mr Paisley and his family on Sri Lankan Airlines
Sri Lankan government paid for business class tickets for Mr Paisley and his family on Sri Lankan Airlines Sri Lankan government paid for business class tickets for Mr Paisley and his family on Sri Lankan Airlines

November 27 2017

Mr Paisley comments on the evidence

December 19 2017

Commissioner asks Mr Paisley for clarification, a fuller explanation of one point; and for supporting evidence. Commissioner encloses a letter, which she asks Mr Paisley to send on to the Sri Lankan High Commission

January 1 2018

Kathryn Stone takes up post

January 9 2018

Mr Paisley hand-delivers letter to Sri Lankan High Commissioner

 Ian Paisley is under pressure to resign following revelations about two paid Sri Lankan holidays
 Ian Paisley is under pressure to resign following revelations about two paid Sri Lankan holidays  Ian Paisley is under pressure to resign following revelations about two paid Sri Lankan holidays

January 19 2018

Mr Paisley replies to the commissioner’s letter of 19 December 2017

March29  2018

Mr Paisley hand-delivers reply from Sri Lankan High Commissioner

April 17 2018

Commissioner interviews Mr Paisley

April 18 2018

Commissioner writes to Mr Paisley confirming the evidence and further information requested on 17 April

May 16 2018

Commissioner chases reply and reminds Mr Paisley of the need to have evidence to support his account

May 23 2018

Mr Paisley hand-delivers his response to commissioner to enable her to view original documents

May 30 2018

Commissioner shares her initial review of the evidence with Mr Paisley

June 19 2018

Mr Paisley provides additional information and evidence, including an estimate of the value of each trip to Sri Lanka prepared by a management consultant, and tested by an accountant

June 20 2018

Commissioner shares registrar’s advice with Mr Paisley and seeks information about a fresh matter

June 22 2018

Mr Paisley provides evidence about the credentials of the management consultant; and some further information about the basis for the estimates

June 27 2018

Meeting to share draft memorandum for fact checking

Read more:

  • Undated selfie 'taken at 11th night bonfire' offered as proof Paisley was not in Sri Lanka
  • Ian Paisley has made headlines before for all the wrong reasons
  • Analysis: Ian Paisley's actions spell all kinds of trouble (premium)
  • Brian Feeney: Paisley faces biggest challenge of his chequered career (Premium)
  • Video: Emotional Ian Paisley apologises for 'total failure' over rules breach