Ian Paisley and his wife have taken a formal leave of absence from the House of Lords as the former DUP leader continues his recovery from the illness which struck him last year.

Lord Bannside and Baroness Paisley have formally asked to be absented from the chamber for the rest of this Parliament.

The absence was agreed last week and listed on the House of Lords website but only emerged yesterday when it was noticed by the magazine Agenda NI.

Some peers take a leave of absence as a way to effectively retire from the Lords.

However, the News Letter understands that although the Paisleys have left the Lords for the duration of this Parliament, they would like to return if health permits in the future.

It is understood that Dr Paisley’s recovery is progressing well and that the DUP founder’s doctors are pleased with his progress.

Although listed as peers who are on a leave of absence, both will retain their titles and can return to the House if they give several weeks’ notice of their intention to come back.

The Paisleys’ absence from the Lords for last week’s crucial vote on gay marriage raised some eyebrows, given how strenuously Dr Paisley has opposed homosexuality.

Last year, in an interview with this newspaper, Dr Paisley described the same-sex marriage proposals as “a very dangerous thing” and Baroness Paisley said that there was “a big swell against it at Westminster, in both houses”.

In the end, last week’s vote was not close, with peers voting for gay marriage by 390 votes to 148.

Dr Paisley celebrated his 87th birthday in April.

One other Ulster peer is listed by the House of Lords as on a leave of absence, former UUP leader Lord Molyneaux. The 93-year-old peer has been in poor health over recent years and has been unable to travel to London to take part in Lords’ proceedings.