IAN PAISLEY is at the centre of another travel storm after it emerged he claimed £6,000 from a charity for first-class flights to a peace conference.
The DUP MP claimed the money from Cooperation Ireland after attending the New York event last year, reports the Irish News.
He was a guest speaker at the 20 Years of Peace conference to mark two decades since the Good Friday Agreement, the historic peace deal that was opposed by Mr Paisley’s party.
Attendees were to make their own travel arrangements before being reimbursed by the charity.
Other speakers, including Tánaiste Simon Coveney and the SDLP’s Mark Durkan, travelled in economy.
However Mr Paisley flew first-class at a cost of £5,925.11 – around 10 times the cost of an economy ticket.
The money, as well as £402.23 for accommodation, was reimbursed by Cooperation Ireland, according to Mr Paisley’s register of interests.
Several politicians have now called on the MP to repay the £6,000 to Cooperation Ireland, an all-island peace-building charity.
The DUP did not respond to the Irish News’ request for comment.
The matter comes to light after Mr Paisley was suspended from the Commons last year for failing to declare family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan Government.
He also faced allegations he accepted a complimentary holiday to the Maldives after advocating on behalf of its government.
