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Video: Arlene Foster's RHI misogyny claim ‘nonsense'

Arlene Foster claimed that calls for her to stand down were fuelled by misogyny. Photo by Niall Carson, PA Wire
Arlene Foster claimed that calls for her to stand down were fuelled by misogyny. Photo by Niall Carson, PA Wire Arlene Foster claimed that calls for her to stand down were fuelled by misogyny. Photo by Niall Carson, PA Wire

ARLENE Foster has faced a barrage of criticism after claiming that calls for her to step down over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal were misogynistic.

Political opponents have accused the first minister of attempting to deflect from the issue - one that could potentially cost the taxpayer £490 million over the next 20 years.

Mrs Foster was the minister at the head of the department responsible for the scheme when it was implemented in 2012 and held the position for the majority of the time it was in operation.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the first minister’s remarks were "surprising" and took aim at the DUP’s poor track record in electing female representatives.

She also referenced an incident in 1997 when Ian Paisley Jnr shouted "moo moo" at Women’s Coalition MLA Monica McWilliams during an assembly debate.

“There is misogyny and sexism in politics, just as there is bullying, but it’s a dangerous game to misrepresent being held accountable for your actions as any of those things,” she added.

When Arlene Foster took up office in January 2016, party colleague Edwin Poot’s said that her "most important job" remained "that of a wife, mother and daughter".

Allison Morris:

Ulster Unionist MLA Jenny Palmer, who was formerly a DUP councillor before defecting amidst claims she was bullied by a special advisor in 2013, also pointed out the DUP’s previous record in relation to women.

"I know exactly what it is like to be the victim of personal attacks for daring to stick your head above the parapet. That is not the same as being held accountable for your actions," she said.

"Arlene Foster can continue to scramble around and point the finger at everyone else, but that will not deflect from the fact that her fingerprints are all over the RHI debacle.

"This is just the latest ham fisted attempt by the first minister to reshape the debate and pivot away from the valid questions being asked of her."

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill dismissed the first minister's claims as "nonsense".

"This is about corruption and the misuse of public money in the here and now," she said.

"Arlene Foster is trying to divert attention away from getting to the truth and holding those responsible to account.

"That is the basis for Sinn Féin calling for Arlene Foster to stand aside, it is not an issue of her gender."

Belfast-born House of Lords peer and women’s rights advocate Baroness May Blood was equally incredulous of Mrs Foster’s claims.

"If [Arlene Foster] feels her position is vulnerable because she’s a woman, then she is not the politician I thought she was."