Former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley has died

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has signed a book of condolence for Ian Paisley following his death at the age of 88.

The former IRA commander was among those who paid tribute to a man once known as Dr No who eventually embraced the peace process and power-sharing with Sinn Fein.

Signing a book of condolence in Londonderry, Mr McGuinness wrote: "In rising above old enmities, we pointed the way to a better and peaceful future. The peace process and I have lost a friend."

Dr Paisley was treated in hospital in the past for an unspecified heart problem.

His widow Baroness Paisley said his funeral will be private but a public memorial event will be held later this year.

Former US President Bill Clinton has paid tribute to Dr Ian Paisley saying he "demonstrated that reconciliation and cooperation is better than conflict and discord."

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has paid tribute to Ian Paisley who he called a "passionate advocate of his community" and a "man of deep faith".

He added: "History will remember him for many things but above all for having the courage, when he judged the moment to be right, of taking the difficult but vital steps towards reconciliation."

Prime Minister David Cameron has paid respect to Dr Ian Paisley saying he will be remembered as the 'Big Man' of Northern Irish politics.

In a statement Mr Cameron said: “On behalf of the whole Government I would like to express sincere condolences to Lady Paisley and the rest of the Paisley family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

“Ian Paisley was one of the most forceful and instantly recognisable characters in British politics for nearly half a century.

"His length of service was remarkable, as a Stormont MP, a Westminster MP for forty years, an MEP and latterly as First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“Of course, Ian Paisley was a controversial figure for large parts of his career. Yet the contribution he made in his later years to political stability in Northern Ireland was huge.

" In particular, his decision to take his party into government with Sinn Fein in 2007 required great courage and leadership, for which everyone in these islands should be grateful.

“I saw him most in the House of Commons where his great oratory stood out. He had a deserved reputation as one of the most hard working and effective MPs.

“Ian Paisley will be remembered by many as the ‘Big Man’ of Northern Ireland politics. He will be greatly missed.”

Peter Robinson, Dr Ian Paisley's successor as Northern Ireland First Minister, said the former DUP leader was a "colossus in unionism".

"He was a colossus in unionism and made such a massive contribution, particularly to the process in which we are presently involved," Mr Robinson told BBC Radio 4's World at One.

Sir John Major has spoken of his "great admiration and respect" for former Democratic Unionist Party leader Dr Ian Paisley.

Dr Paisley was a prominent opponent of the Downing Street Declaration which the former Prime Minister signed in the early stages of the peace process in 1993.

"Ian Paisley was a man of public passion and huge personal charm, who cared deeply for the community he served," the former Prime

"From a position where he was suspicious of every movement towards peace, he came to embrace it, and served as the first First Minister of Northern Ireland.

"It was a remarkable journey by a remarkable man, for whom I had great admiration and respect."

Tony Blair has described Dr Ian Paisley as a "man of deep convictions", saying he "began as the militant" and "ended as the peacemaker".

The former Prime Minister, who presided over the historic Good Friday Agreement, said Dr Paisley would have been "very proud" of his work towards peace in Northern Ireland.

"Ian was a man of deep convictions. The convictions never changed. But his appreciation of the possibilities of peace, gradually and with much soul searching, did. He began as the militant. He ended as the peace-maker," Mr Blair said.

"Over time I got to know him well. He could be an uncompromising even intransigent opponent. But he was also someone who loved Northern Ireland and its people. He led them but he also followed them. When they said to him peace was thinkable, he made it possible."

The former Prime Minister added: "I don't suppose 40 years ago he would ever have thought that politically his life then would end as it does now. But I know he and Eileen would be very proud of his huge contribution to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland."

Nigel Farage has paid tribute to Dr Ian Paisley saying he was, "the only man I shared a platform with who made me feel shy".