Corruption is Everywhere - But Northern Ireland's Ian Paisley?

DUP meets to discuss Paisley’s political future

after Sri Lankan holiday scandal

DUP MP Ian Paisley apologises to the House of Commons in London for failing to register two family holidays funded by the Sri Lankan government, which he previously estimated was worth £50,000. Photograph: PA Wire

Senior DUP personnel met today to discuss the political future of North Antrim MP Ian Paisley.

The party did not reveal the outcome of the meeting but said it may issue a statement on the matter early next week.

Mr Paisley made an emotional statement to the House of Commons this week, apologising for his failure to declare two luxury holidays that were paid for by the Sri Lankan government.

A parliamentary watchdog has called for the North Antrim MP to be suspended for 30 sitting days because he failed to declare the holidays, which were worth more than £50,000.

Another DUP MP, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the BBC today that his party was not going to take “a lynch mob approach”.

Speaking on the Today programme, Sir Jeffrey said Mr Paisley’s behaviour had been unacceptable.

However, he added: “Ian is entitled to have his case heard, he is entitled to fairness.

“We are a democratic party - the clue is in our name - and this matter has been referred to our party officers. They will consider the report prepared by the standards committee, they will consider what has happened and they will come to a decision.”

Sir Jeffrey said that Mr Paisley had apologised and acknowledged that what he had done was unacceptable.

In Belfast on Friday, Mrs May sidestepped questions about the impact the Commons suspension of Mr Paisley would have on future legislative Brexit battles she will face.

But she said the confidence and supply agreement with the DUP had allowed the Government to deliver “key decisions”. Mrs May said it was a “matter for Parliament” how it dealt with breaches of its rules.

Mr Paisley’s trips also included meeting with Sri Lankan governmental figures. The threshold for registering such hospitality in 2013 was around £660. He subsequently wrote a letter to the prime minister arguing on behalf of the Sri Lankan government. Mr Paisley has faced calls to resign his seat and there is a prospect of a by-election as a consequence of the sanction.

At times struggling to maintain his composure, Mr Paisley apologised to the House, to his colleagues in the DUP and to his constituents.

“I take my duties as a Member of Parliament seriously. I believe that I conduct myself with colleagues with integrity and openness, which is why I have such remorse about the matter, as I believe it goes against the grain of who I am, especially how it is portrayed,” he said.

“It is to my constituents, who have sent me here since 2010, that I make the profoundest of all apologies. They have honoured me with unwavering support to be their voice and I hope that they will continue to have that confidence in me in the future.”

Denied

When the Daily Telegraph broke the story of Mr Paisley’s holidays in Sri Lanka, where he was accompanied by his family, he initially denied the reports and threatened to sue the newspaper.

The holidays included business-class air travel, accommodation at first-class hotels, helicopter trips and visits to tourist attractions for Mr Paisley and his family.

Mr Paisley said that mistakes made by those in public life were amplified and that they ought to be.

“That is the nature of the job that all of us do and all of us understand that. However, I believe in a politics and in politicians who can admit to human frailty, who can apologise, mean it, and move on, because that is what real life is all about,” he said.

“It is often said that it is how we respond to these challenges in our lives that defines who and what we are, and defines our character and demonstrates to us where the true source of our personal strength rests. The 8th-century (BC) prophet Isaiah said, ‘You were angry with me, that anger has turned away, you comfort me.’ I hope to learn that lesson.”

The Commons Standards Committee on Wednesday outlined the sanction for Mr Paisley, son of late DUP founder the Rev Ian Paisley, saying he had committed “serious misconduct” and his actions “were of a nature to bring the House of Commons into disrepute”.

Mr Paisley’s potential suspension would start in September if MPs approve it.

Members who are suspended from the Commons for more than 10 days are open to a recall petition. A by-election would be triggered if 10 per cent of the electorate in Mr Paisley’s North Antrim constituency sign that petition.– PA

Stormont, NI

Leader of Green Party in Canada May Step Down Over BDS Decision

Elizabeth May could quit as Green Party leader

'Broken-hearted' May says boycott Israel policy has her

on verge of stepping down as leader

Is Green Party Leader Elizabeth May about to step down as her party's leader? She's heading off on vacation to decide, following her party's decision to embrace the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which she doesn't support. (Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)

David Cochrane, CBC News

Elizabeth May says she could step down as Green Party leader later this month if her party doesn't reconsider its decision to endorse a movement that calls for the boycott of Israel.

At its policy convention last weekend, Green Party members voted in favour of a resolution which, in part, said the party "supports the use of divestment, boycott and sanctions (BDS) that are targeted to those sectors of Israel's economy and society which profit from the ongoing occupation of the OPT [occupied Palestinian Territories.]"

"I would say as of this minute I think I'd have real difficulties going not just to an election but through the next month," May said in an interview with CBC Radio's The House, set to air this Saturday morning on CBC Radio One.

"There are a lot of issues I want to be talking about with Canadians, and this isn't one of them."

I'm not a Green Party supporter but I am very impressed with Elizabeth May's stand on BDS. Stand your ground Elizabeth; call a leadership convention and be prepared to pull out of it if support for BDS is not dropped. The Green Party was not formed to encourage antisemitism.

May is headed to Nova Scotia for a family vacation, where she will seek their advice on her future as leader.

"I need to talk to my family and ask them what they think I should do," May said. "You're talking to a broken-hearted person who is trying to figure out the best way forward."

'Wrong-headed for the party'

After Green Party members endorsed the BDS movement, several prominent Jewish organizations denounced the move, with one leader saying he was "irate" with the party.

But another Jewish group was enthusiastic about the resolution brought forward by the Green Party's justice critic, Dimitri Lascaris.

Even some Jews are antisemitic.

"This is the first time a Canadian political party with representation in the House of Commons has taken a strong and positive position in solidarity with the grassroots Palestinian movement for freedom, justice and equality," said Tyler Levitan, a spokesman for Independent Jewish Voices Canada in a release.

A hotly debated House of Commons motion introduced by Conservative MPs to condemn the BDS movement passed 229-51 last February, with some MPs preferring to abstain.

May — who opposes BDS — said she has been criticized as both a Zionist and an anti-Semite since it was adopted as official party policy.

"It's horrible. You are caught between two very strong loud voices," she said.

"I think it is wrong-headed for the party. It's a very polarizing and divisive campaign."

Plans to run again as MP

As she considers her future, May is also seeking ways to get the party to reconsider its support of the BDS movement.

May told The Canadian Press there could be "a trigger to hold a special meeting of all members" for another look at a resolution she believes does not reflect the party's genuine will.

If May can't trigger a special review of the policy, the only other opportunities to revisit the resolution would be at the party's next meeting in 2018 or at a leadership convention, should she opt to step down later this month.

Whatever her decision, there will be an emergency meeting of the party council to discuss next steps, likely Aug. 21 or 22, she added.

A survey was sent to Green Party members on Wednesday night asking them how they feel about the BDS motion.

Regardless of her future as leader, May plans to seek re-election as a Green candidate in the next general election.

"My constituency is my top priority," she said. "I am going to run again in 2019."

House of Commons Prayer Could be in Violation of Charter

Canada's House of Commons prayer under attack

It was inevitable after the Supreme Court ruled Saguenay City Council's Catholic prayer was inappropriate, that godless twits would go after prayer in the House.

Speaker Andrew Scheer reads prayer in House

CBC News 
A House of Commons prayer that begins with "Almighty God" is under scrutiny following the Supreme Court decision that a municipal council in Quebec cannot open meetings with a Catholic prayer.

The prayer is read by the Speaker of the House ahead of each sitting before the doors are opened to the public. Parliament's website says that the Speaker, MPs and table officers must stand during the prayer, which is followed by a moment of silence.

Though usually a closed-door affair, the prayer was televised on Oct. 23, 2014 — the day after the shooting at the National War Memorial and inside Parliament's Centre Block.

The prayer reads:

Almighty God, we give thanks for the great blessings which have been bestowed on Canada and its citizens, including the gifts of freedom, opportunity and peace that we enjoy. We pray for our sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, and the Governor General. Guide us in our deliberations as members of Parliament, and strengthen us in our awareness of our duties and responsibilities as members. Grant us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all and to make good laws and wise decisions. Amen.

Opposition House leader Peter Julian is looking into whether the decision applies in the House of Commons, which is protected by parliamentary privilege, said NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

"If there a place where we need to show we fully respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it's here in Parliament," he said.

The prayer has been part of the daily House proceedings since 1877 and was codified in standing orders in 1927, said Heather Bradley, director of communications for the office of the Speaker.

Speaker Andrew Scheer "has no intention of changing this," but standing orders can be amended by the House, Bradley said.

'It's a moment of solemn reflection'   

Justice Minister Peter MacKay said he believes the prayer is "as inclusive as possible." But he said the prayer could be reviewed by the Board of Internal Economy, which is the governing body of the House of Commons.

"I'm personally comfortable with the way it is. The wording, the presentation, is done in such a way that it is to recognize all faiths. And even if a person is agnostic, it calls for a moment of silence and contemplation," he said.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said he is pleased that there are discussions underway about whether or not the prayer should be changed.

"It's important to respect the Supreme Court's ruling and to defend the rights of individuals," he said. "I hope — and I am certain — that we will be able to find a way to proceed. For me, like many others, it's a moment of solemn reflection."

It was Justin Trudeau's father, Pierre, who pushed through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It's a good charter, although it was obvious from the start that freedom of religion would eventually suffer for it. It was Pierre who put the law above God and it may be his son who kicks God out of Parliament. If you think kicking God around like that will be without consequences, you have a rude awakening coming. What happens when God removes His protection from a country? I don't know, but I think we will find out, and I don't think it will be pretty.

Mulcair said that he enjoyed the moment of silence observed in Quebec's National Assembly. And that's all that's important - whether or not you enjoy that moment. Tsk.

"It's a solemn moment at the beginning of each session. Those who want to pray are free to pray, but it's not imposed," he said.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson replaced the prayer at the beginning of city council meetings with a moment of reflection after the Supreme Court ruled the state must remain neutral in matters of religion on April 15. Wimp!