THE DUP's director of communications says he regrets not declaring earlier that his father-in-law was a recipient of the RHI scheme.
John Robinson was a special adviser (Spad) from June 2016 until Stormont's collapse in March 2017 for economy minister Simon Hamilton, who was in charge of tackling the massive RHI overspend.
He stood aside from any involvement in the RHI scheme in January 2017 after it emerged his father-in-law Hugh Rutledge's business Highgate Poultry is a scheme recipient.
In his witness statement ahead of attending the RHI inquiry today, Mr Robinson insisted he has "no financial interest" in his father-in-law's business and "at no time was my judgement conflicted".
"My father-in-law was a recipient of the scheme. I regret not seeking an opportunity to declare this matter earlier in my employment," he said.
"I accept that some may have perceived this as a conflict of interest with my work as a special adviser in the DfE [Department for the Economy].
"Those who worked alongside me will testify that I always favoured more rigorous inspections, publishing of recipients' names and action to curb the costs of the scheme.
"I have no financial interest in my father-in-law's business and at no time was my judgement conflicted."
Follow the RHI inquiry live as John Robinson gives evidence on Wednesday September 26
Mr Robinson said he had no role in RHI prior to becoming a Spad in June 2016.
He said although he knows other RHI claimants, he "never discussed their applications with them or anyone on their behalf".
Highgate Poultry, based near Newtownbutler in Co Fermanagh, applied for the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme in September 2015.
In his witness statement to the inquiry, Mr Rutledge said Mr Robinson "had no role" in his RHI application.
He said they first discussed RHI in Autumn/Winter 2016 in relation to applicants' names being published.
Mr Robinson also mentioned in his statement that when Mr Hamilton was amending the RHI tariff in 2017, the firm Moy Park had sought to speak with the minister and himself, but no conversation took place.
Poultry farmers make up a significant proportion of RHI claimants, with most supplying Moy Park.
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