Former DUP MP Ian Paisley to attend inauguration

Former Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Ian Paisley is set to attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump next week.

He is on the official guest list for the formal swearing-in ceremony in Washington on Monday, which will mark the beginning of Trump’s second term in the White House.

Mr Paisley is a long-time friend of the president-elect, having first met him in 2003 along with his father Ian.

His son Eric has also stayed with the Paisley family in Northern Ireland.

Speaking before flying out to Washington, Mr Paisley said he was looking forward to the ceremony and said the Trump presidency will have a positive impact for Northern Ireland.

“A lot of people have a lot of views about Donald Trump but collectively Northern Ireland can do well during his time in the White House, ” he said.

“There will be lots of positive business opportunities and Northern Ireland is in a good place to take full advantage.”

Mr Paisley said that during Trump’s last term in office there was “no negative fall out for Northern Ireland”.

“I would expect the same this time,” he added.

Mr Paisley also said Donald Trump was one of only two US presidents to give Northern Ireland a special mention during the St Patrick’s Day reception in the White House.

“When he spoke at that reception he looked around the room and made a point of saying it was great to celebrate Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Mr Paisley said.

“Apart from George Bush he was the only president to make that pointed reference.”

In 2018 during Trump’s first term, Mr Paisley extended a personal invite to president to visit Northern Ireland.

Recalling his first encounter with Trump, the former MP said he travelled with his father to meet the then businessman in 2003 to lobby for investment for Northern Ireland.

“We had heard Donald Trump was planning to invest in Scotland so we took a chance and called to his office to see if he would consider coming to Northern Ireland,” he said.

“It was a cold call but we received a very warm reception, and Donald Trump has a photograph of us all on his office wall.”

Mr Paisley said he has remained in touch with the Trump family since then and was in contact with the president-elect after last year’s election to pass on his congratulations.

He added that he plans to attend the White House’s St Patrick’s Day reception again this year.