Speaking in the Assembly this morning Jim Allister said:
“I readily join in the tributes to Lord Molyneaux.
“He has been described variously as a true gentleman, and so he was. He was quiet and unassuming too, both about his military career and his political career. He was a giant on our political scene who moved through it in that quiet, unassuming way that characterised him. Above all, he was a unionist through and through. There was no hint of Ulster nationalism about Jim Molyneaux. He was a wholly committed believer in all the values and all the parts of the United Kingdom.
“I knew him somewhat and have had many conversations about him with the president of my party, Willie Ross, who held him in very high esteem. I have heard many accounts and stories of his steadfastness. If there is perhaps one word that sums up Jim Molyneaux, it is “steadfast”. He was not easily blown off course. He stuck to his vision and his view of things and, in that, deserves the respect of us all. Although we have not seen and heard of him latterly, Ulster politics will now be the poorer for the passing of Lord Molyneaux. I salute his memory and express condolences to his family and his party upon their loss.”
South Antrim Westminster Candidate for TUV Richard Cairns said:
“It is with great sadness that I learned of Lord Molyneaux’s passing this morning, my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
“His contribution to Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated, I think history will judge him favourably as he in many ways stood firm against those who wished him to compromise his beliefs.”