House of Commons to vote on Paisley suspension
Last updated 24th Jul 2018
A 30-day suspension, weakened Tory government and a by-election could all be the result of today's recommendation by the Westminster Standards Committee.
It will be decided today whether to impose one the longest suspensions to Ian Paisley - after it was discovered he failed to declare two family holidays - paid for by the Sri Lankan government back in 2013.
The parliamentary watchdog has recommended that he be suspended from the Commons for 30 days.
If the motion is passed - Mr Paisley's suspension will begin on 4 September - giving that today is the last day of business before the summer recess.
It could go from bad to worse for the North Antrim MP - as it could also trigger a by-election - due to the severity of the offence.
After the suspension is decided - Commons Speaker John Bercow must write to Northern Ireland’s chief electoral officer, who must then organise a public petition to allow North Antrim voters to decide whether to force a by-election.
If 10% of the electorate sign the petition, Mr Paisley will lose his seat, although he would be free to stand in the by-election.
Mr Paisley made an emotional plea to the House last week - apologising to them and his constituents.
Mr Paisley said: "I take my duties as a Member of Parliament seriously. I believe I conduct myself with colleagues with integrity, with openness and that is why I have such remorse about the matter as I believe it goes against the grain of who I am - especially how it is portrayed.
"It is to my constituents, who have sent me here since 2010, that I make the profoundest of all apologies.
"They have honoured me with unwavering support to be their voice and I hope they will continue to have that confidence in me in the future.''
Concluding, Mr Paisley said: "We all in this chamber know that in public life if you make mistakes they are amplified, and rightly so - that's the nature of the job all of us do and all of us understand that.
"But I believe in a politics and I believe in politicians that can admit human frailty, that can apologise, can mean it and can move on - because that's what real life is all about.
"It's often said it's how we respond to these challenges in our lives that defines who and what we are, and defines our character and demonstrates to us where the true source of our personal strength rests.
"The eighth-century prophet Isaiah said: 'You were angry with me, that anger has turned away, you comfort me.'
"I hope to learn that lesson."
Mr Paisley's potential suspension would start in September if MPs approve it.
The suspension would also mean Prime Minister Theresa May will be shorn of one of the 10 DUP MPs propping up her minority government during a period that could see a number of crucial Brexit votes.