Brian Faulkner supported Paisley’s behaviour in the teeth of demands from the Moderator of the General Assembly, Dr Martin, that his violent demonstrations be stopped. Protestants, said Faulkner, had the right to protest. Dr Martin’s request was ‘an unwarrantable interference with the right of free speech and free assembly’.47 Paisley reciprocated by telling his supporters at a meeting in Castlewellan, Co. Down: ‘Thank God for Brian Faulkner’.
