Two weeks ago, when Ian Snr and Bertie strolled across the lawns at Galgorm Manor, I said that those who were hoping for the DUP to 'crash and burn' were kidding themselves (or summat like that).

And, while Ian Paisley Jnr's. departure from his role as a Junior Minister at Stormont is far from an indication of the DUP's engine stalling, it is, without doubt, a significant set-back for the party.

Let's face it. He is the son of the party leader and he was quite obviously being groomed to succeed to the North Antrim Westminster seat held by his father so successfully for so many years. This is no ordinary resignation we are talking about.

One too many headlines did for the motorbike riding politician, labelled 'Baby Doc' by his detractors.

However, I would argue that his demise as a Junior Minister does not automatically mean his career at a local level is also doomed.

Just a few weeks ago, a BBC team conducted a vox pop on the streets of Ballymena and were surprised to learn just how well regarded Ian Junior actually is 'on the ground'.

Of course there are many pundits who will now question whether he can inherit his father's North Antrim Westminster seat ... but it would be foolish to write him off.

After all, if Junior has learned anything from his father over the years it's how to stage a comeback from adversity.