DUP’s Ian Paisley could lose his seat after a formal recall petition was launched as he helps to prop up Theresa May’s Government
Mr Paisley was recently suspended after failing to declare two free Sri Lanka holidays
AN Ulster unionist helping to prop up Theresa May’s Government could become the first politician to lose his seat after a formal recall petition was launched yesterday.
Iain Paisley, the North Antrim DUP politician, will face a by-election if the petition – open for six weeks in three locations - is signed by at least 10 per cent of the electorate in the constituency.
It came after he was suspended for 30 days for failing to declare two luxury family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government which included seven helicopter flights and hospitality for his family worth tens of thousands.
He later lobbied then-Prime Minister David Cameron against supporting a UN resolution on human rights abuses in Sri Lanka - again without disclosing the trips.
He faces becoming the first MP to lose his seat under the new law introduced by the former coalition government following the Westminster expenses scandal.
The MP has a massive 28,000 majority in his constituency after adding 10,000 votes in last year’s general election.
But if 7,543 people sign the petition a by-election will be held.
Mr Paisley junior, son of DUP founder Ian Paisley, is currently suspended from the DUP pending a party investigation.
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He has already apologised for what he said was his “unintentional failure” to register the hospitality and has vowed to fight any by-election campaign.
The Electoral Office is running the petition process and those signing have to produce a driving licence, UK or Irish passport, electoral identity card or bus or rail pass.
The DUP’s 10 pro-Brexit MPs are crucial allies of Prime Minister Theresa May’s minority Government.
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