Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:-
“Even by Ian Paisley’s standards, the latest BBC Spotlight revelations are shocking. Hardworking people in North Antrim, who pay their own way in life, are unlikely to be impressed.
“There is clearly now much more for the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to examine, not least the information that the secret benefactor was a Maldives Government minister. In addition, there are now two further trips to be investigated, none of which were ever declared.
“Whatever Ian Paisley’s attitude to transparency, surely, his party cannot ignore this further Spotlight expose, or can it, as nothing seems to have resulted from the investigation promised 6 months ago?
“My wider concern is the further damage done to Unionism PLC. Such self-inflicted injury is not what we need or expect from a Unionist MP.”