The late Ian Paisley.
There will be no state funeral for former DUP leader Ian Paisley who died yesterday, aged 88.
Plans had been drawn up five years ago to give the former Free Presbyterian Moderator the full trappings of a state funeral as he was once First Minister of Northern Ireland.
It was to have been on a scale similar to that of George Best when he died in November 2005
However, the family of the founder and former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) have decided on a strictly private family service followed by a memorial service later this year.
It is understood the former North Antrim MP had been left deeply hurt at the way he was removed from high office both as First Minister and Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church he founded.
“By holding a private family service it means the likes of Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds can’t attend,” said a DUP source.
“Dr Paisley believed they had knifed him in the back and were ultimately behind moves to remove from as First Minister and also as DUP leader.”
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