Former DUP leader Ian Paisley takes seat in Lords

Former first minister and DUP leader Ian Paisley has taken his seat in the House of Lords.

He was formally introduced as Lord Bannside Of North Antrim by his party colleague Lord Morrow and former Commons Speaker, Baroness Boothroyd.

Lord Bannside will join his wife, Baroness Eileen Paisley, in the Lords after being made a peer in the Dissolution Honours list.

The 84-year-old stepped down as North Antrim MP earlier this year.

He had represented the constituency at Westminster for 40 years.

Dissolution Honours lists are made at the end of every parliament and allow outgoing prime ministers to reward colleagues.

After being sworn in, Lord Bannside said: "The House of Lords is doing better work this present day than the other house and I say that as one of the few people who has sat for 40 years in the other house.

"The standing of the House of Lords never was higher than today."