IT came from the most unlikely of quarters given the recent spats between Sinn Fein and DUP.
But last night a DUP politician took the unusual move of stepping out of the party rhetoric and heaping praise on a veteran Sinn Fein politician.
DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley jnr (or as republicans called him Ian Og!), went on television last night and publicly thanked Sinn Féin’s former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA leader.
Mr McGuinness announced yesterday he was not standing in the forthcoming election due to his ailing health.
Mr Paisley told BBC NI The View presenter Mark Carruthers that his “remarkable journey not only saved lives but made the lives of countless people better”.
Mr McGuinness forged a friendship with Mr Paisley’s father, former DUP leader Ian Paisley, when they were Stormont’s first and deputy first ministers.
He quit as deputy first minister in a row over a botched green energy scheme, sparking an election on 2 March.
Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness, who were once sworn enemies, formed an unlikely friendship in the top positions in government.
They were even dubbed the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ at one stage.
When Dr Paisley died, Mr McGuinness said he had lost “a friend”.
On McGuinness’s contribution to the peace process, Mr Paisley said: “I want to say thank you.”
Martin McGuinness addresses a crowd outside his home in Derry tonight
He added: “It is important that we, actually, do reflect on the fact that we would not be where we are in Northern Ireland, in terms of having stability, peace and the opportunity to rebuild our country, were it not for the work he did put in, especially with my father at the beginning of this long journey”.
Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy told the programme that the late Dr Paisley and Mr McGuinness “were derided for the friendship they had, but people would like to see a few chuckles around Stormont today”.
Mr Paisley agreed with Mr Murphy saying: “Perhaps if we got back to some of that foundation work of building a proper relationship we could get out of the mess we are currently in.”
He added: “I can say thank you – honestly and humbly and recognise the remarkable journey Martin McGuinness went on has not only saved lives, but has made the lives of countless people in Northern Ireland better because of the partnership government we worked on and put together.”
“I wish him well in his retirement and hope he has time to get over his health issues and enjoy retirement time with his wife and family.”
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