Paisley steps down
The Rev. Ian Paisley, an important figure in Northern Ireland politics, announced that he will step down today. MSN UK
As leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly for more than 40 years, he has played a role in the conflict between Northern and Southern Ireland. CNN
The decision made by the 81-year-old Protestant evangelist was made because of pressure from within his party. He will step down after an investment conference in Belfast, CNN said.
Although he will resign as Northern Ireland's first minister, he said he plans to remain a member of British Parliament and a Northern Ireland Assembly member, MSN UK said.
"I came to this decision a few weeks ago when I was thinking very much about the conference and what was going to come after the conference. I thought that it would be a very appropriate time for me to bow out," The Rev. Paisley said. CNN