Ian Paisley’s funeral to be held in Belfast today

The private funeral will be attended by family and close friends of the former first minister of Northern Ireland

Ian Paisley’s funeral will take place today 15 September.

The life of the former First Minister of Northern Ireland will be celebrated with a private funeral at his family home in east Belfast. He will be buried at County Down.

The politician died on Friday 12 September, aged 88. A public memorial service is expected later on this year.

Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) will pay tribute at noon, after which assembly business will be suspended.

MLAs and members of the public are also invited to sign a condolence book at Belfast City Hall.

All Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) constituency offices will be closed today.

Paisley’s death was confirmed by his wife, Eileen, last week.

"My beloved husband, Ian, entered his eternal rest this morning," she said in a statement.

"Although ours is the grand hope of reunion, naturally as a family we are heartbroken.

"We loved him and he adored us, and our earthly lives are forever changed.

"To that end we will in due course publish details of a public memorial service which, will be scheduled later in the year.

"There will be no further comment or statements made by me or the family at this time."

Nigel Farage led tributes to Paisley last week, tweeting: "Dr Ian Paisley RIP. A good friend to me in my early day in politics. The only man I've shared a platform with who made me feel shy."