IAN PAISLEY jnr has retaken his place on the North's policing board, denying that his reappointment was a factor in his father's decision to resign as DUP leader and First Minister.
He rejected claims that his DUP colleagues had been irritated at the decision to give him back his old job at the board.
Mr Paisley jnr was a member of the first policing board for five years. He was dramatically reappointed last week following the announcement that Jeffrey Donaldson was chosen as junior minister at Stormont. This meant that Mr Donaldson could not hold his seat on the board.
Mr Donaldson takes the junior ministerial job at the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister left by Mr Paisley jnr when he resigned following a series of reports concerning his lobbying for north Antrim developer Seymour Sweeney, especially in relation to a visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway.
Media interest in Mr Paisley jnr was intense as he appeared for the monthly meeting of the board, which is held in public.
Before taking his seat alongside three DUP colleagues, he dismissed reports that his father's decision to nominate him so soon after he had resigned from the Executive had contributed to the First Minister's announcement that he too will quit the Executive and the party leadership in late May or early June.
"There is an awful lot of rumour, an awful lot of gossip.
"I try to live in the real world, not the rumour merchants' world," he said.
"I'm here to do a job, I've been nominated by the party officer to do that job and I will try and deliver for the best of the constituency."
Mr Paisley jnr had said he would return to the board to highlight many of the concerns about the new policing dispensation harboured by unionists.
He was welcomed to the board by chairman Prof Sir Desmond Rea.
"Thank you, it's good to be back," Mr Paisley jnr replied.
His was the first question put to PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde during the public session of the meeting.
He inquired about the numbers of officers needed by the PSNI following Sir Hugh's confirmation that the expected £100 million (€130 million) shortfall would affect delivery of policing.
Unionists have voiced sustained opposition to plans to cut the number of serving police officers to some 6,500.
Meanwhile, President George W Bush's special envoy to Northern Ireland last night became the latest public figure to pay tribute to the Rev Ian Paisley following his stated intention to resign.
Paula Dobriansky, speaking "on behalf of the United States", congratulated Dr Paisley "on his historic role in bringing about a peaceful political settlement".
She said she was impressed by Dr Paisley's "commitment to working for the greater good of the people of Northern Ireland in co-operation with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and the Northern Ireland Executive".
Ms Dobriansky, who visited Ireland this week in advance of May's international investment conference, said the Bush administration "continues to support the timely conclusion of the devolution process for Northern Ireland, and we look forward to continuing our important work on the US-Northern Ireland Investment Conference in May".
She added: "Dr Paisley's historic visit with Mr McGuinness to the United States in December 2007, and his welcome of two US investment missions to Northern Ireland over the past several months, underscore his dedication to consolidating the peace in Northern Ireland by promoting economic growth and prosperity."