Paisley rejects nomination as N.Irish leader

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

" Protestant hardliner Ian Paisley, head of Northern Ireland's main pro-British party, rejected on Monday his nomination by nationalist political opponents to serve as leader of the province's local government.

The proposal of Paisley, leader of Northern Ireland's biggest party, for First Minister by long-standing enemies Sinn Fein is the first attempt to restore local government in the province since its regional assembly was recalled last week.

Sinn Fein, the province's second most popular party, also proposed its chief negotiator Martin McGuinness, who is dedicated to ending the UK ties Paisley cherishes, as Deputy First Minister.

Asked by Assembly Speaker Eileen Bell if he accepted the nominations, Paisley said: "Certainly not."

Northern Ireland's deeply divided parties have until the end of November to agree on a power-sharing executive or the assembly will be scrapped and Britain will continue to rule directly, with more input from Ireland."

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-05-22T141125Z_01_L22487831_RTRUKOC_0_UK-IRISH-PAISLEY.xml

[Greeby]

1. So maybe that wasn't thunder 200 miles away here in Milton Keynes?

It was just him opening his mouth :evilgrin:

[no name no slogan]

3. ROFL!

And I thought it was a typhoon off the cost of Belfast. Nope, just the good Rev Paisley spewing his hate.

[Grebrook]

2. Paisley is dying anyway

I hear he has an illness and has been sick for a few years. Won't be any big loss. I imagine now that the IRA has disarmed but the Red Hand Defenders or UVF haven't nothing good will come out of this until Blair decides to be a man and stares them down.

Fat chance. We're talking "Cheney fat" chance here.