Northern Ireland

DUP's Timothy Johnston 'unaware of RHI conflicts of interest'

Timothy Johnston, a former DUP special adviser and now the party's chief executive. Picture by Mal McCann
Timothy Johnston, a former DUP special adviser and now the party's chief executive. Picture by Mal McCann Timothy Johnston, a former DUP special adviser and now the party's chief executive. Picture by Mal McCann

THE DUP's chief executive has denied ever attempting to "delay, soften or reduce" cost controls for the flawed RHI scheme.

Timothy Johnston said he was "not involved in any decision-making or detailed discussions" about the green energy scheme in the months before subsidies were capped.

He claimed former DUP minister Jonathan Bell's "lack of attention to detail... must have had an adverse impact in respect of the RHI Scheme", adding: "I never found Mr Bell to be interested in detail."

Mr Bell's fractious relationship with his special adviser (Spad) Timothy Cairns may have also caused problems, he added.

DUP spad family tree:

Mr Johnston was a Spad to three former first ministers including DUP leader Arlene Foster before Stormont's collapse early last year.

 Ian Knox cartoon 28-09-18: When questioned as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary
 Ian Knox cartoon 28-09-18: When questioned as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary  Ian Knox cartoon 28-09-18: When questioned as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary

The RHI inquiry has heard claims from Mr Cairns that Mr Johnston was involved in delaying cost controls, contributing to the scheme running hugely over budget.

Mr Bell has also accused Spads including Mr Johnston of intervening to delay the cap on subsidies.

Read more:

  • Who or what is a spad?
  • Former Spad Stephen Brimstone was at high-level meeting where cost controls were discussed despite Arlene Foster knowing he was applicant to scheme
  • Peter Robinson 'told Jonathan Bell not to go public with claims'
  • SDLP leader calls on head of civil service to clarify whether Martin McGuinness was aware of RHI abuse claims

But in witness statements released ahead of appearing before the inquiry today, Mr Johnston said: "I was not involved in any decision-making or detailed discussions in the summer of 2015.

"At no time did I seek to influence or encourage Timothy Cairns, or anyone else, to delay, soften or reduce cost controls.

 Former DUP special adviser Timothy Cairns
 Former DUP special adviser Timothy Cairns  Former DUP special adviser Timothy Cairns

"I was not in possession of any detailed knowledge about the scheme, its financing or operation at that time and had no reason to be so."

At the inquiry yesterday, another ex-DUP Spad Stephen Brimstone accepted a perceived conflict of interest due to him being an RHI applicant.

He said he told Mrs Foster of his RHI application and he believed Mr Johnston would have known as they're "close friends".

But Mr Johnston said he was "not aware of any such conflicts [of interest] at the time".

The inquiry has heard claims of a "hierarchy" of DUP Spads, with Mr Johnston "at the top of the tree".

DUP leader Arlene Foster, and former party special advisers John Robinson, Stephen Brimstone and Timothy Johnston
DUP leader Arlene Foster, and former party special advisers John Robinson, Stephen Brimstone and Timothy Johnston DUP leader Arlene Foster, and former party special advisers John Robinson, Stephen Brimstone and Timothy Johnston

Mr Johnston said he had no sense of an "understood or recognised hierarchy of advisers", and believed Spads were answerable to their ministers.

Mr Bell has alleged he has been the victim of a "smear campaign" after he went public with claims over RHI.

But Mr Johnston said: "There was an attempt to set the record straight given the inaccuracies of Mr Bell's version of events and his attempted portrayal as the victim rather than a minister."

After Mr Bell's claims, Mrs Foster read a statement about the RHI scheme to the assembly without the support of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Mr Johnston said Mrs Foster's speech was "accurate" but he now believes it was a "political error".

The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) was designed to encourage businesses to switch from burning fossil fuels to more sustainable alternatives like wood biomass.

But the subsidies were worth more than the cost of wood pellets, encouraging firms to "burn to earn" – and delays in introducing cost controls brought a spike in applications.

Much attention in the inquiry has focused on the role of DUP Spads when civil servants wanted to curb the spiralling cost of the 'cash for ash' scheme.

Mr Johnston said: "It would appear from the early days of this scheme that there was not a proper understanding of its financing, its administration appeared uncoordinated, and there was not a sufficiently joined-up approach across government (and particularly from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to Department of Finance and Personnel), to understand or recognise its flaws at an early stage.

"The fact the subsidy payment was greater than the cost of wood pellets was a major flaw and this imbalance was not understood until very late."