KEY POINTS:
The Reverend Ian Paisley has signalled the end of an era by announcing he will step down as leader of Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration and the Democratic Unionist Party.
The news represents a huge moment in the politics and recent history of Northern Ireland, removing from the scene as it does one of its most striking figures.
There will be endless argument over the merits and faults of an outsize personality who for decades sabotaged many political initiatives. He then astounded the world by forging an alliance with Sinn Fein, his sworn enemies.
It was in May of last year that he made one of Irish history's great U-turns by casting aside his decades of appetite for discord and speaking of a future of "wonderful healing". The astonishment was all the greater for the rapport he established with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, who for decades he had regarded as a bloodstained terrorist. McGuinness yesterday lauded Paisley for showing "courage and vision".
But their exceptionally affable relationship may have played a part in Paisley's departure. While there was widespread Protestant acceptance that the time had arrived for a deal, many felt the relationship was over-friendly.
The other major factor in Paisley's decision to stand down in May was a period of bad publicity for his party, much of it generated by his son, Ian Paisley Jnr. His son's relationship with a developer produced many stories of behaviour which, while not illegal, smacked of unsavoury sleaze.
The central political question now is who will take over from Paisley. The political world expects his successor to be Peter Robinson, his long-time deputy and the finance minister in Belfast's power-sharing executive.
His experience and reputation for efficiency may mean he will face little serious opposition for the two jobs. A smooth transition and a Robinson promotion would suit most of the political spectrum, including the British and Irish Governments and Sinn Fein.
Unlike some in the DUP ranks, he is committed to power-sharing. He is also more of a details man than Paisley. Since he is also thought of as cold, he is not expected to be as friendly towards Sinn Fein.
Paisley yesterday refrained from indicating a preference, intoning: "This is not the Church of Rome. This is not Apostolic succession and I have no right to say who will succeed me."
With Paisley due to reach his 82nd birthday next month, many have been speculating on exactly how long he might stay in office.
May will bring both an important economic conference in Belfast and the first anniversary of Paisley's assumption of power.
Yesterday he hotly denied his departure came as the result of pressure, in line with his declaration that "I have a fairly hard rhinoceros skin". But it has been clear enough that discontent in the DUP has been growing. It led to his son's recent resignation as junior minister, and then seems to have increased as Paisley Snr awarded Paisley Jnr a seat on the Police Board.
McGuinness said: "The historic decision he took to go into Government with Sinn Fein has changed the face of Irish politics forever. I think that he will be fondly remembered by the people of Ireland - north and south - for the very courageous leadership that he showed."
A different view came from the MEP Jim Allister, who quit the DUP in protest at the power-sharing agreement. He said: "It has been quite clear for some time that Ian Paisley was going to be hung out to dry by the DUP pragmatists. He had delivered what they had devised but could not sell themselves - government with unrepentant terrorists."
Gordon Brown said: "Progress on bringing a lasting peace would not have been possible without his immense courage and leadership."
- INDEPENDENT
