Debate call for source protection

Mr Paisley Jnr faces a high court challenge to name a source

The Assembly is set to debate a DUP motion calling for public representatives to be protected against having to name sources.

The motion comes as Ian Paisley Jnr faces a high court challenge to give the name of a prison officer to the Billy Wright inquiry.

Mr Paisley Jnr said the officer told him documents were destroyed in the wake of the loyalist's murder.

He said it was in the interest of all parties to back the DUP motion.

"This is about the protection of sources, and it's about ensuring that Parliament, the Assembly does not have its constitutional rights undermined," he said.

"A source can go to a journalist and be protected, a source can go to a priest and be protected, but a public representative is now to be hauled over the coals because they have source information.

"I think that's highly inappropriate and just wrong."