Ian Paisley ‘acted in good faith’ says DUP as details emerge of ratepayers’ cash being donated to him

The party issued a statement just as the commission itself provided more details about the case to the News Letter.

The case centres on two tables which were purchased at a dinner he was hosting.

They were deemed to be improper donations, and he did not return them within the 30 day limit.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council each paid £1,500 for a table at Mr Paisley’s annual MP constituency dinner.

Some of the money was used to cover the costs of the dinner.

But in each case, the remaining £1,300 was deemed a donation.

The commission said that neither council was a “permissible donor”.

It added: “Local councils are not permissible donors or lenders as set out by the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

“Mr Paisley offered to return the donations to both donors.

“Given the circumstances of this case the fact that both donors are public bodies, the Commission decided that returning the donations provided an appropriate course of action. Mr Paisley has agreed to do so.

“We also considered that it was proportionate and in the public interest to impose sanctions on Mr Paisley for his failure to return the donations to each respective donor within 30 days as required...

“Mr Paisley has until October 8, 2020 to pay the penalties [totalling £2,600].”

The DUP said in a statement: “This event was not organised by the party but by Ian in his capacity as MP for North Antrim and the associated donations were received on that basis.

“Mr Paisley co-operated fully with the investigation and, while acting in good faith, he accepts the outcome of the report.”

Mr Paisley previously faced a ban form the Commons relating to a failure to declare overseas hospitality.

He has not offered any personal comment on the matter.

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