Former Northern Ireland leader Dr Ian Paisley dies
![Dr Ian Paisley, who has died, his wife Eileen said today. Pic: Paul Faith/PA Wire](https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_35849125.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Dr Ian Paisley, who has died, his wife Eileen said today. Pic: Paul Faith/PA Wire](/img/placeholder.png)
Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died, his wife Eileen said today.
Eileen Paisley said the family was heartbroken.
Dr Paisley was a firebrand fundamentalist Protestant preacher and politician who led opposition to compromise with the IRA for decades in Northern Ireland.
He became a peacemaker when he entered government with Sinn Fein at Stormont as first minister following a landmark deal.
He has been ill for some time.