Party members rolled up at Castlereagh council offices to officially elect their new leader and deputy.

It took the DUP's 120-member executive less than an hour to formally ratify the Stormont Finance Minister to take over.

Dr Paisley, 82, emerged from the meeting flanked by his successor – and his new deputy, North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds.

He told Press gathered at the bottom of the council office steps: "If ever Ulster needed leadership it needs it today. If ever we needed to put encouragement into the hearts and minds of the Ulster unionist people it's today and I believe we are going to see great things."

After the statement, the former firebrand preacher appeared to wipe away a single tear with his hand.

East Belfast MP Mr Robinson paid a warm tribute to his predecessor, saying he had given Ulster hope after many dark days.

The 59-year-old added: "Ian has brought the Province through its most difficult of times. We have come out of the difficulties to have a Province which now has a great hope and opportunity.

"It is up to the new leadership when it does take place to harvest the advantages that have been hard won to ensure that the Northern Ireland in the future is a Northern Ireland which our young people will be proud to live in and to grow up in."

The News Letter has learned that Mr Paisley's last official engagement as DUP leader will be at a special tribute event in Belfast on May 30.
It is understood the DUP has hired the Balmoral Hall, part of the King's Hall complex, for a free farewell bash open to the public and DUP faithful.

Mr Paisley is expected to officially step down as party leader the following day.

Dr Paisley is expected to give a rousing final leader's speech, on a night which will focus on his 38 years at the helm of the party.
However, it is believed he will remain as Northern Ireland First Minister until mid-June.

In a joint statement, Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds said they were "deeply honoured" to be given the responsibility to lead the party.

"We want to pay tribute to Dr Paisley and the sterling service which he has given," they said.

"The DUP and Northern Ireland owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr Paisley for his leadership over many decades.

"He has a unique ability and it would be foolish for anyone to try and mimic his style of leadership."

Congratulating the new leadership, Mr Paisley was reported to have said: "There is great responsibility in leading the largest political party in Northern Ireland, but I have full confidence that the new leadership team will lead the DUP on to many successes in the future."

Mr Robinson pledged the post-Ian Paisley Democratic Unionist Party will fight for its community's agenda and oppose republicanism at every turn as it has always done.

He added: "It is a very difficult, almost frightening prospect to follow the leadership of someone of such a mighty standing in the community, someone who is a legend within the unionist community.

"But the upside of all of that is that Ian Paisley has been trailblazer. He has been able to build up the party and he is handing over a party in very good spirit.

"It is up to Nigel (Dodds] and I to give leadership along with our colleagues in the Assembly to the party and to the unionist community to make it very clear we are fighting for the unionist agenda, we will oppose republicans at every possible opportunity we have."

Mr Robinson has been the deputy leader of the DUP for almost 28 years and an MP for 29.

He has been the runaway favourite to succeed Mr Paisley since he announced in March he would be stepping down as leader of the DUP and as Northern Ireland's First Minister after a Stormont executive investment conference next month.

Congratulating Mr Robinson, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said: "Having worked closely with Peter as Finance Minister I am now looking forward to working with him as leader of the DUP when Ian Paisley stands down.

"Peter is an outstanding politician and I am sure he will bring renewed energy and commitment to devolution in Northern Ireland and ensure peace and prosperity is enshrined for the benefit of everyone."

Mr Paisley's resignation will trigger the removal of Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.

However, the Sinn Fein minister will remain in position in a caretaker capacity until being renominated with Mr Robinson