Tributes paid to Paisley in Stormont

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson has paid tribute to the late Ian Paisley as the undisputed leader of unionism.

Political parties from all sides offered heartfelt thoughts of the churchman and politician's legacy at a special sitting of the Stormont Assembly as the family held a private funeral in Belfast.

Mr Robinson said the founder of the Democratic Unionist Party was head and shoulders above all others.

"Ian Paisley was a remarkable man whose long career in public life has left an indelible mark on all of us who knew him," the First Minister said.

"The 'Big Man' as he was known, provided firm and decisive leadership when unionism lacked it most and needed it most."

Mr Robinson said the task of remembering and paying lasting tributes to Mr Paisley was daunting and that no words could properly do it justice.

The Paisley family held a private service at their home on Cyprus Avenue in Belfast this morning, before burial in Ballygowan, Co Down.

A public memorial service will be held later in the year.

Books of condolences were opened in Belfast City Hall and Stormont.

Mr Paisley died last Friday at the age of 88.

The former first minister and former unionist leader was a firebrand fundamentalist Protestant preacher and polarising figure whose vehement opposition to dealing with the IRA and extreme anti-Catholic rhetoric was legendary.

The bellicose symbol of unionist defiance was famous for bellowing "never, never, never" during a mass protest against Irish Government involvement in Northern Ireland affairs in the 1980s.

He helped wreck earlier attempts at political accord, became the ultimate protest figure and promised to smash Sinn Féin.

But, in a potent symbol of the ground covered by political negotiations which largely ended violence, he entered government with republicans in 2007 as Stormont's first minister after republicans lent their support to the police.

Eventually, his partnership with the former IRA commander and current Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the head of government led to them being dubbed the "Chuckle Brothers".

Mr McGuinness said his professional relationship and friendship with Mr Paisley - the source of much irritation in some sections of unionism and republicanism - should provide food for thought with the Stormont Executive dogged by political stalemate.

The Sinn Féin chief said he would leave history to determine Mr Paisley's legacy.

"I can only talk about my own experience with him," Mr McGuinness said.

"From the word go for some reason we hit it off.

"We grew to like each other and that, incredible for people undoubtedly who for many decades intensely disliked each other. But we genuinely grew to like each other and in doing so we confounded the world. He certainly made a huge effort."

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams signed the book of condolence at the City Hall.

"Many families who suffered the worst excesses of sectarianism may take issue with this, but Ian Paisley is due recognition for reaching agreement with Irish republicans on a peaceful future for all of our people and for the way he fulfilled his role as first minister, alongside Martin McGuinness," Mr Adams said.

"Together they proved that politics can work and that unionists and republicans working together could make political progress and overcome significant political difficulties."

Mr Adams said Mr Paisley's legacy is a huge challenge for all politicians in Northern Ireland and the current unionist leadership.

Ian Paisley: In Pictures

Ian Paisley's most notable quotes

Ian Paisley: An Obituary

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