The DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr was suspended from parliament today for 30 days for failing to declare two family holidays that were paid for by the Sri Lankan government and later lobbying on the country's behalf against an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity.
MPs voted in favour of the suspension today. Meanwhile the DUP announced it would be suspending Mr Paisley pending further investigation into the matter.
Following the suspension from Parliament, the chief electoral officer will be given ten days to establish a petition, which could lead to him standing down and a by-election if signed by 10% of his constituents.
The chair of the Standards Committee, Sir Kevin Barron said Mr Paisley was guilty of "serious misconduct and his actions were of a nature to bring the House of Commons into disrepute".
The investigation into Mr Paisley Jr's conduct comes after a report by The Daily Telegraph, which found he had accepted holidays worth £100,000 from the Sri Lankan government, including two all-inclusive holidays for him and his four children, flying business class with VIP lounge access, six hotels across two trips and being chauffeur driven in a Mercedes. The trip was funded by the Sri Lankan ministry of external affairs. A helicopter was also provided for Mr Paisley and his family to travel around the island, with Sri Lankan ministry of defence approval.
The paper also submitted evidence to the Commons standards committee, which showed email discussions with a Sri Lankan official where Mr Paisley Jr offered to help the state broker an oil deal, saying he had “significant arrangements with national oil suppliers” in Oman and Nigeria.
