Ministers 'must review conduct'

Ian Paisley Jnr will continue as an MLA for North Antrim

The assembly must review its ministerial code of conduct, the former parliamentary commissioner for standards has said.

Sir Alistair Graham said Ian Paisley Jnr's resignation as junior minister was a good chance to address the issue.

Sir Alistair said it was essential to create a system where all potential conflicts of interests were removed.

"It needs to be addressed if we are going to have high ethical standards amongst politicians in NI," he said.

Mr Paisley's resignation followed criticism over his links to developer Seymour Sweeney and allegations he lobbied on his behalf.

Concerns were also raised about the Ballymena constituency office he and Ian Paisley Snr, his father, rent from Mr Paisley Jnr's father-in-law, James Currie.

Mr Paisley, who will stay in the post until a replacement is found, has said he will continue in his role as an assembly member for North Antrim.