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19/07/2007
First Minister receives 'opposition' award
NI First Minister Ian Paisley has become the first Northern Ireland politician to receive the ‘Opposition Politician of the Year’ award at a ceremony held in London.
The First Minster was presented with a solid brass portcullis at Gladstone's Library in Whitehall and said: "I am very proud, it is a great honour and they were more than nice to me."
The ceremony was part of the House Magazine Parliamentary awards.
The honour is an annual prize given out by fellow MPs for a variety of positions including Opposition Backbencher, Government Backbencher and Best Minister.
As the oldest MP currently in the commons, Mr Paisley said that it was a tough call whether he preferred working in Westminster or back home in Stormont. Mr Paisley also said that he felt it was recognition “for a job well done”.
Sky’s Adam Boulton presented the 82-year-old Democratic Unionist Leader with the award and he saw off tough competition from Scottish Nationalist Party Leader Alex Salmond.
(SB/SP)
The First Minster was presented with a solid brass portcullis at Gladstone's Library in Whitehall and said: "I am very proud, it is a great honour and they were more than nice to me."
The ceremony was part of the House Magazine Parliamentary awards.
The honour is an annual prize given out by fellow MPs for a variety of positions including Opposition Backbencher, Government Backbencher and Best Minister.
As the oldest MP currently in the commons, Mr Paisley said that it was a tough call whether he preferred working in Westminster or back home in Stormont. Mr Paisley also said that he felt it was recognition “for a job well done”.
Sky’s Adam Boulton presented the 82-year-old Democratic Unionist Leader with the award and he saw off tough competition from Scottish Nationalist Party Leader Alex Salmond.
(SB/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
