ONE of the Northern Irish MPs helping to keep Theresa May in power is facing a by-election after being suspended for taking undeclared holidays from a foreign government.

Democratic Unionist Ian Paisley Jr is facing the first parliamentary recall petition under a 2015 law designed to let voters remove errant politicians.

A graphic explaining the issue(PA Graphics)

The petition opened on Wednesday at three venues across his North Antrim constituency.

Sinn Fein Stormont Assembly member Philip McGuigan said: “This is an issue of integrity in Government, it is not an orange and green issue. This is not even about nationalism versus unionism. This is an issue about trust in politicians, that they will do their jobs with integrity.”

Mr Paisley has been suspended from the House of Commons for 30 days after failing to register two family holidays in 2013 paid for by the Sri Lankan government.

He then lobbied then Prime Minister David Cameron about a UN resolution on Sri Lanka human rights abuses without mentioning the £50,000 of benefits he and his family received.

Mr Paisley is one of ten DUP MPs supporting the Prime Minister’s minority administration, and his absence from parliament next month tightens the parliamentary arithmetic.

Mr Paisley, who inherited his seat from his father, the Rev Ian Paisley, in 2010, referred himself to parliamentary watchdogs after the trips were reported by The Telegraph in 2017.

The parliamentary commissioner concluded he had brought the Commons into disrepute by acting as a “paid advocate” for Sri Lanka, and he apologised for his “unintentional failure”.

He now faces the possible end of his political career if 10 per cent of his electorate, or 7543 people, sign a recall petition in the next six weeks, triggering a byelection.

Mr Paisley, whose majority last year was a massive 20,643 over Sinn Fein, would be entitled to stand in any byelection, but could be seen as damaged goods by then.

Ian Paisley Jr suspendedSignage for the recall petition which opened at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre in Ballymoney

Under the Recall of MPs Act, any MP who is jailed for a criminal offence, convicted of fiddling their expenses, or barred for more than 10 sitting days is subject to a recall petition.

Mr Paisley’s Commons suspension will start on September 4, after the summer recess.

SDLP politician Declan O’Loan said he was the first person to sign the petition in Ballymena, which has been dominated by Paisleyism for generations.

Although the law allows for up to 10 locations where constituents can sign the petition, the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland has established just three, leading to criticism.

Sinn Fein have complained some voters would have to make a 25-mile trip to sign a petition, and would be unable to do so outside working hours.

It also suggested some would be reluctant to sign the petition in heavily unionist Ballymoney.

There were 94 polling stations across the North Antrim seat at the last general election.