DUP MP Ian Paisley denies wrongdoing over fresh luxury holiday claims
3 min read
Top DUP MP Ian Paisley has denied wrongdoing over claims his family enjoyed a free holiday in a luxury Maldives resort after he defended its government.
The North Antrim MP took his wife and two sons to the tropical archipelago for five nights at full board in October and November 2016, shortly after a controversial parliamentary visit there, the BBC says.
Evidence seen by the broadcaster suggests the trip was requested by the Maldivian government and facilitated by the resort owner, who is said to have political links.
It comes after Mr Paisley was slapped with a record 30-day ban from Parliament after it was discovered he failed to tell Commons watchdogs about two luxury family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government.
The MP never listed the holiday to the Maldives in his register of interests - which parliamentarians have to do when other people pick up the bill for their travels.
Mr Paisley said part of the trip was paid for by a friend who he refused to identify - with the other part paid by himself.
However he insisted the person was unconnected to and received no benefit from his work as an MP.
He told the BBC: “For the record, the Government of the Maldives did not organise or pay for my family vacation in 2016, which I do not intend to go into with you.
“I'm satisfied the vacation did not have to be recorded on the register.”
Mr Paisley went to the Maldives in February 2016 as party of an All-Party Parliamentary Group fact-finding mission before he returned eight months later for his holiday.
He appeared to advocate on behalf of the Maldives government during the first trip, and spoke out against economic sanctions it was facing amid criticism over human rights abuses.
During his ban over the Sri Lanka holiday earlier this year, the MP also faced a recall petition which could have triggered a by-election in his seat. However, not enough voters signed it to meet the threshold.
In an emotional statement to the Commons, Mr Paisley offered his “unreserved apology”, while explaining that he regretted the sanction handed to him.
“It is with profound personal regret and deep personal embarrassment that I have to make this statement,” he told MPs.
“In 2013 in the course of my first parliament, I failed to properly register and properly declare two overseas visits. I had no ulterior motive for that genuine mistake. I do recognise how serious a mistake it was.
“As a member of parliament, I know I have personal responsibility to seek to be above reproach. I acknowledge that registration of such matters and subsequent declarations must be adhered to diligently. I accept my total failure in that matter.”
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