BELFAST councillors have backed a motion calling for a public independent inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal.
Independent unionist councillor Ruth Patterson proposed the motion, which was agreed on Tuesday night as the council met for the first time since the Christmas break.
The DUP voted against the motion but Sinn Féin abstained, meaning Mrs Patterson's proposal passed.
Sinn Féin, which has recently sent out mixed messages on what type of inquiry it favours, had proposed an amendment calling for an investigation "carried out by an independent judicial figure" from outside the north and appointed by Attorney General John Larkin.
However the amendment, proposed by councillor Jim McVeigh, was voted down.
Ulster Unionist councillor Jeffrey Dudgeon also proposed another amendment suggesting that the council write to Secretary of State James Brokenshire asking for a "time-bound public inquiry" into the scandal, which is expected to cost taxpayers up to £490 million.
The amendment also proposed asking Arlene Foster to resign over her handling of the disastrous scheme.
Arlene Foster speaks to the Irish News in October 2016 about RHI:
However, the UUP amendment was also voted down.
An emotional Mrs Patterson hit out at the DUP and said "smugness and arrogance are the downfall of all of us".
She wept as she referred to a terminally ill young girl who is being treated at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
"Whenever I look at us squabbling and £400 million gone up in smoke, just think of what that £400m could have done for the health service in this province. It really puts everything into perspective this evening," she said.
People Before Profit councillor Matt Collins also proposed an amendment "calling for an immediate general election in light of the RHI scandal" but it was not seconded.
