British MP Paisley retains seat after controversy over failing to declare state paid Sri Lankan holidays

Democratic Unionist MP Ian Paisley retained his Parliamentray seat in relation to his failure to register two family holidays, paid for by the Sri Lankan government after House of Commons standards watchdog has recommended that the North Antrim MP be suspended for 30 days, beginning in September, according to British media reports.

According to BBC, Ian Paisley has said he is "stunned" and "greatly humbled" after retaining his seat as an MP. The North Antrim MP will not face a by-election after fewer than 10% of his constituents signed a recall petition.

The petition was triggered after the DUP MP was suspended from Westminster for failing to declare two holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government. "I think it was a miracle," Mr Paisley told BBC News NI.

The petition was the first in UK Parliamentary history.The petition needed 7,543 signatures - or 10% of Mr Paisley's constituents - to force a by-election and cause Mr Paisley to lose his seat. It was signed by 7,099 people.