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UUP ‘happy to fight' if snap election is called, Mike Nesbitt says

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt at Stormont last month. Picture by Mal McCann
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt at Stormont last month. Picture by Mal McCann Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt at Stormont last month. Picture by Mal McCann

ULSTER Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said his party is prepared to fight an election if one is called over the cash-for-ash scandal.

Mr Nesbitt told The Irish News on Monday it would be up to Sinn Féin, the DUP's partner in government, whether an election will be announced.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has faced repeated calls to either resign or stand aside for a time over her handling of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said he felt money spent on a snap election would be better used investigating how the disastrous scheme was handled.

"All people really want is the truth," he said. "If an election was called it would certainly deflect from the RHI crisis but it would also add more cost to taxpayers on top of the £490 million cost of RHI."

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said the RHI crisis was a "very fluid situation and we are a long way from the end of it".

The scandal is to be debated in the assembly when MLAs return on January 16.

Mr Nesbitt said it would be up to Sinn Féin whether an election is called over the crisis.

Sinn Féin have already asked First Minister Arlene Foster to step aside while the RHI scheme is investigated.

Video: Arlene Foster speaking to the Irish News in October about RHI:

When asked if he expected an election, Mr Nesbitt said: "It's entirely up to Sinn Féin".

"The DUP have already made clear that Arlene Foster isn't going anywhere," he said.

"It's up to deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness whether he will push this. If an election is called we would be happy to fight it."