DUP successor 'must do business'

Martin McGuinness (left), pictured last year with Peter Robinson

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has said he is not concerned if the new first minister has a more distant relationship with him than Ian Paisley.

Mr Paisley announced on Tuesday that he would stand down as first minister and DUP leader in May.

Mr McGuinness said the issue of Mr Paisley's successor was "no big deal to me".

"I am only really interested in working with people who are prepared to do the business, prepared to do the work."

Meanwhile, Stormont Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson has pledged to back Peter Robinson as the new leader of the DUP.

Mr Robinson, the current finance minister, is viewed as the clear favourite to take over after Ian Paisley steps down in May.

Ian Paisley is stepping down as first minister and DUP leader

It is understood the DUP assembly party can pick a new leader without an election involving the wider party.

The Lagan Valley MP said Mr Robinson was one of the most skilled strategists within unionism and politics in NI.

"He would be my favourite," said Mr Donaldson.

"He has proven that time after time, he has been the deputy leader for many years within the DUP and as such has proven his leadership skills. I think he will be a very popular choice right across the party."

'Political coup'

The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, Sir Reg Empey, said Mr Paisley had been the victim of a "political coup".

"This departure has been more brutal than that given to Margaret Thatcher by her party," he said.

"It was orchestrated, meticulously prepared, and executed."

However, Mr Robinson said: "What would Reg Empey know about the internal workings of the Democratic Unionist Party?"

He said anyone who knew Ian Paisley knew he could not be pushed into doing anything he did not want to do.

Mr Robinson said whoever succeeds Mr Paisley, he believed there would be "a seamless process".

The former deputy first minister, Seamus Mallon, said Mr Paisley had been "shafted" by his own party.

"He was shafted by his own political party not once but twice.

Peter Robinson is being tipped as a successor to Ian Paisley

"He was shafted as leader of his church, which he founded, and he was destroyed by his own political party," Mr Mallon said.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said he did not envisage a bitter contest for Ian Paisley's successor.

"I do not envisage there being a contest, let alone a bitter contest," Mr Campbell said.

However, Minister for Culture Arts and Leisure Edwin Poots believes several party members could be interested in the job.

Mr Robinson would not be drawn on his future plans.

"I don't think anybody is ruling themselves in or out - there is not, at this moment, a vacancy," he said.

Mr Paisley, 81, will step down as first minister and DUP leader in May.

Responding to questions about his replacement, Mr Paisley said: "This is not Apostolic succession.

"I have no right to say who will succeed me. The person will succeed me when the mark is on the paper and the ballot is cast."