Ian Paisley jnr stood down today as junior minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly after pressure over claims about his lobbying and developer links.
"With a certain degree of sadness I have informed the First Minister [the Rev Ian Paisley] of my intention to resign from ministerial office," he said.
Ian Paisley jnr
"I can't express strongly enough that I am not going because of some hidden or some revealed wrongdoing on my part."
The junior minister said he was not going to stand down as Assembly member for North Antrim.
Taking no questions as he announced his resignation at Stormont Castle, Mr Paisley said he was proud to have played a small part in the setting up of the power-sharing institutions that have been operating since last May.
Mr Paisley making his announcement today. PA
But he acknowledged that a series of stories about his lobbying on behalf of North Antrim businessman Seymour Sweeney had taken their toll.
Mr Sweeney was behind a failed bid to build a privately run visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway
"The past 10 months have not been without controversy," he said. "Personal criticism, unfounded allegations, innuendo and attacks on me personally, followed by Ombudsman's reports that have cleared me - this relentless period of criticism by those who have decided on this path has been unceasing.
"The criticism has been a distraction and has got in the way of the activities of this government, and importantly it has gotten in the way of the activities of my political party."
Mr Paisley jnr's resignation is a blow for the First Minister and is likely to fuel speculation about how long Dr Paisley will remain in frontline politics and at the head of a power-sharing government alongside Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness.
Mr Paisley jnr said his resignation would not take effect until a replacement was found within days. DUP party officers will discuss who will step into the junior minister's role at a meeting within the next week.
One of his party colleagues, East Derry MP Gregory Campbell, said everyone would support his decision to stand down. He said: "It will give everyone, including Ian jnr, time for a breather, to have space and consider his future. That is in the best interests of everyone."
Sinn Fein MLA Daithí McKay said: "This is certainly not the end of it for Ian Paisley jnr. There are still a number of questions that he needs to answer in relation to the Giant's Causeway and other developments.
Mr Paisley Jnr explained that his resignation would not take effect until a replacement was found within days. DUP party officers will discuss who will step into the junior minister's role at a meeting within the next week.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said it was a very difficult time for the Paisley family. "These matters are always very, very hard and for them, a family who has given a huge amount to Northern Ireland, my thoughts are also with them."
Seymour Sweeney, the businessman at the centre of Mr Paisley's woes, expressed his sadness at his resignation as a junior minister.
In a brief statement Mr Sweeney said: "Ian Paisley Jnr is an extremely diligent politician who always works very hard for both his constituents and for projects he believes in.
"His unstinting commitment to North Antrim merits sincere gratitude from all the organisations and private individuals he has helped and supported which makes his decision to resign all the more regrettable.
"It is a very sad day for democracy and one can only hope that given his considerable political dedication and expertise that he will be encouraged to continue his valuable work as an MLA."
PA