Church to decide on Paisley leadership

Members of the Rev Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church will tonight decide if he will be replaced as leader of the denomination…

Members of the Rev Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church will tonight decide if he will be replaced as leader of the denomination.

Ministers and elders of the church will gather at Dungannon Free Presbyterian Church to elect a leader.

The meeting was rescheduled from earlier this month and follows moves last September to persuade the Stormont First Minister to stand down as the head of the church.

Ballymena Minister John Greer and Armagh cleric the Reverend Ron Johnstone have been tipped as possible contenders to replace Dr Paisley.

READ MORE

However, there has also been speculation that the Democratic Unionist leader's name might be put forward again despite last September's move to persuade him to stand down.

Dr Paisley has been criticised by some members of his church for going into government with Sinn Féin.

It has also been suggested that the 81-year-old could have an honorary presidential role created for him.

His Democratic Unionist Party yesterday denied claims that he was preparing to retire as an MP at the next election. The rumours fuelled speculation that he could also be planning to retire as party leader and First Minister.