Opinion

Claire Simpson: Essence of pure Ian Paisley is undistilled confidence flavoured with the ridiculous

Ian Paisley jnr and party leader at the DUP manifesto launch at the Old Court House in Antrim Picture Mal McCann.
Ian Paisley jnr and party leader at the DUP manifesto launch at the Old Court House in Antrim Picture Mal McCann. Ian Paisley jnr and party leader at the DUP manifesto launch at the Old Court House in Antrim Picture Mal McCann.

THERE'S a photo of Ian Paisley during the last general election campaign which seems to sum up his entire political career.

He's pictured with a group of young women wearing hoodies with his name on the back, flanked by DUP leader Arlene Foster.

The photo is pure Paisley - over-exuberant confidence with a hint of the ridiculous.

He looks thrilled; Mrs Foster looks as though she'd rather be discussing the finer points of Gaelic football with Michelle O'Neill.

Mr Paisley's confidence seemed to wane a little when he was forced to apologise in the Commons last week following the results of a parliamentary watchdog inquiry.

The details have already been picked over - the North Antrim MP and his family went on two luxury holidays to Sri Lanka in 2013, paid for by the country's government, which he failed to declare to Parliament.

The breach of parliamentary rules means he is facing a 30-day suspension from Westminster and a possible by-election.

Ian Paisley with DUP leader Arlene Foster in 2014. Picture by Stephen Davison
Ian Paisley with DUP leader Arlene Foster in 2014. Picture by Stephen Davison Ian Paisley with DUP leader Arlene Foster in 2014. Picture by Stephen Davison

His rebuttal of claims initially reported in the Daily Telegraph were faintly ludicrous. He offered an undated 'selfie' taken beside an ice-cream van during an eleventh night bonfire as 'evidence' he wasn't in Sri Lanka on July 11 2013. He alleged flights were booked in economy class and then 'upgraded'. And he claimed to have no recollection of four helicopter trips.

The North Antrim MP is no stranger to scandal. This year alone he's been forced to apologise after he re-tweeted an anti-Islam message by right-wing 'commentator' Katie Hopkins.

And he faces another probe - this time from the local government auditor - over why Mid and East Antrim Council gave him a £1,500 'donation' to sponsor a table at a constituency dinner he hosted, attended by Tory minister Michael Gove.

The ultimate political insider who likes to brand himself as a down-to-earth everyman, it's no surprise that Mr Paisley is an admirer of the self-confessed Bad Boys of Brexit - Leave campaigners Arron Banks and Andy Wigmore and ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

All three men like to present themselves as anti-establishment men-of-the people despite their wealth (multi-millionaire Banks), power (former diplomat Wigmore) and insider influence (long-standing MEP Farage).

In some ways he has less in common with the Banks and Trumps of this world than another Irish political dynasty - the Healey-Raes.

Kerry TDs Michael and Danny Healey-Rae may be independents, unhampered by party ties, but they share the same Teflon-coated resistance to political failure.

Ian Paisley Jr with his father in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker
Ian Paisley Jr with his father in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker Ian Paisley Jr with his father in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker

Danny Healey-Rae can confidently declare that fairy forts are causing dips in roads in Kerry; that climate change doesn't exist because "God controls the weather" and that householders should be allowed to shoot intruders. And he can say all this safe in the knowledge that his vote won't be affected.

As the son of former DUP leader Ian Paisley, Ian Jnr was expected to take over his father's political crown.

Instead, his father was ousted from the party he built and his son fell out of favour with the DUP's most senior members.

Since his resignation as a junior minister in 2008 amid reports about his links to property developer Seymour Sweeney, Mr Paisley has never looked likely to reach high office.

His election as North Antrim MP in 2010 was more of a coronation, based on the Paisley name, than a vote of confidence in DUP policies.

Ian Paisley canvassing in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker
Ian Paisley canvassing in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker Ian Paisley canvassing in Ballymena in 2010. Picture by Charles McQuillan, Pacemaker

It seems that Mr Paisley seems destined to spend the rest of his career in a no-man's-land - never properly falling from grace but never reaching high office either.

Sometimes his opinions seem contradictory. He represents a mainly rural constituency which will be hugely damaged by Brexit but lobbied to leave the EU.

He showed great warmth and respect to the late Martin McGuinness but has frequently got himself into trouble through a seemingly endless stream of careless remarks.

You can't help but feel Mr Paisley is his own worst enemy, like a footballer teeing up the perfect penalty only to boot it over the crossbar.

Ian Paisley pulls a wheelie at a Bike to Work Day event in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
Ian Paisley pulls a wheelie at a Bike to Work Day event in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann Ian Paisley pulls a wheelie at a Bike to Work Day event in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

Only 10 per cent of voters in his North Antrim constituency need to sign a petition to trigger a by-election.

If an election is called, Mr Paisley may have to face a few uncomfortable weeks on the campaign trail.

But his pain is likely to be short-lived. With a majority of around 20,000 votes at the last election, he's sure to win.

Whether he should be allowed to remain a public representative is another question.

Read more: Sammy Wilson says Ian Paisley should not face any 'additional sanctions' from DUP