The Northern Ireland MP Ian Paisley Jr has been suspended by his party, the DUP, 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, the Belfast Live reported today.
“Officers of the Democratic Unionist Party have considered the report of the House of Commons Committee on Standards on Ian Paisley MP," the DUP was quoted by the paper as saying in a statement
“The Party takes this report and the matters contained within it very seriously. The Party Officers have decided to suspend Mr Ian Paisley MP from membership of the Party pending further investigation into his conduct."
“The Party does not intend to make any further comment on these matters during the course of the above outlined process.”
Mr Paisley was noted to be listed as an 'independent' MP on the parliamentary website. See here.
The investigation into Mr Paisley Jr's conduct following an article published by The Daily Telegraph, which reported that Mr Paisley 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.
Last month MPs voted to suspend Mr Paisley from parliament for 30 days.
