'I have never made an inflammatory statement in my life' - Ian Paisley in quotes

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died aged 88, it has been confirmed today. Here is a selection of his most memorable quotes through the decades.

'I have never made an inflammatory statement in my life' - Ian Paisley in quotes

Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died aged 88, it has been confirmed today. Here is a selection of his most memorable quotes through the decades. 

On the devolution of Northern Ireland:

May, 2007: "I have sensed a great sigh of relief amongst all our people who want the hostility to be replaced with neighborliness …"

"I believe that Northern Ireland has come to a time of peace, a time when hate will no longer rule. How good it will be to be part of a wonderful healing in our Province."

"Today we salute Ulster's honored and unaging dead - the innocent victims, that gallant band, members of both religions, Protestant and Roman Catholic, strong in their allegiance to their differing political beliefs, Unionist and Nationalist, male and female, children and adults, all innocent victims of the terrible conflict …"

Agreeing to power-sharing in Northern Ireland

"We must not allow our loathing of the tragedies of the past to become a barrier to a better future." 

Commenting on then Irish President Mary McAleese

2006: "I don't like the President of the Irish Republic… because she is dishonest." 

On the IRA disarming

September, 2005: "We are not going into government with Sinn Fein. 2005: "It would be naive to take the IRA at its word." 

On line-dancing

May, 2001: "The church regards the country and western style of dance "as sinful as any other type of dancing, with its sexual gestures and touching".  

Speaking about the Queen

1998: "She is now a parrot of the Labour government." 

Reacting to news of a meeting between Gerry Adams and Tony Blair

February, 1997: "I will never sit down with Gerry Adams . . . he'd sit with anyone. He'd sit down with the devil. In fact, Adams does sit down with the devil." 

December 1997: "Talk about dancing at Christmas on the graves of Ulster dead, and to be given the facility so to dance by the British prime minister . . . Here we saw the godfathers of those who planned the bombing of Downing Street, standing outside there and piously pretending they were engaged in a search for peace." 

On being “an Irishman”

June, 1991: "I would never repudiate the fact that I am an Irishman"

Addressed at Pope John Paul II on a visit to the European Parliament

October, 1988: "I denounce you, Anti-Christ! I refuse you as Christ's enemy and Antichrist with all your false doctrine." 

To Maggie Thatcher

1987: "It was amazing that I was ever elected."

"On behalf of the people of Ulster I brand you a traitor and a liar." 

Talking about Catholics

1969: "They breed like rabbits and multiply like vermin." 

On Charles Haughey's idea of a United Ireland

1980: "Come into my parlour, said the spider to the fly, it's the nicest wee parlour you ever did spy ... well, let me tell you Charles J Haughey, the Ulster people are too fly to come into your parlour" 

Paisley's slogan for a campaign against decriminalising homosexuality in Northern Ireland

1977: "Save Ulster from sodomy." 

In response to Northern Ireland Prime Minister Brian Faulkner's signing of the Sunningdale Agreement with Ireland

1974: "I say to the Dublin government, Mr Faulkner says it's "hands across the border to Dublin". I say, if they don't behave themselves in the South, it will be shots across the border!" 

Recurring

"No Surrender"

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