Paisley takes his leave of the Lords

Ian Paisley (Lord Bannside) has been granted leave of absence from the House of Lords alongside his wife Eileen (Baroness Paisley of St George’s).  The absence of the two peers officially took effect on 6 June but was unannounced at the time.

Lord Bannside, aged 87, has occasionally been in poor health in recent years. He last spoke in the Lords on 13 July 2011 in response to the Government’s statement clearing two RAF pilots of responsibility in the Mull of Kintyre helicopter crash.

“I thank the Government for listening,” he told the House.  “I was a bit of a nuisance to them, and I needed to be, but I am glad that we have this good finding today. The way of two wise men will stand the test, and it has stood the test.”

Baroness Paisley last addressed the Lords on 24 October 2011 when she recalled a visit to a hospital ship visiting Belfast.  Both peers last voted in the House on 23 January 2012, on an amendment to the Welfare Reform Bill.

Leave of absence permits members of the House of Lords to stand aside from their duties in the case of age, illness or external commitments.  Other peers currently on leave of absence include Lord Molyneaux and former Secretary of State Lord Prior.

Under standing orders, a peer may apply for leave of absence at any time during a Parliament.  A peer may also end his or her leave by giving one month of notice in writing.  Lord Bannside and Baroness Paisley received their peerages in 18 June 2010 and 3 July 2006 respectively and will continue to hold their titles for life.

agendaNi interviewed Ian Paisley as First Minister in 2008.
The article is available online at www.agendani.com/the-call-of-the-people