Politics

Arlene Foster faces renewed calls for her resignation

Arlene Foster is facing renewed calls for her to stand aside while an inquiry into RHI takes place
Arlene Foster is facing renewed calls for her to stand aside while an inquiry into RHI takes place Arlene Foster is facing renewed calls for her to stand aside while an inquiry into RHI takes place

THERE have been renewed calls for the first minister to resign over her part in a botched green energy scheme which could cost the tax payer £490 million.

The calls come after it emerged she had written to banks in January 2013 in her role as enterprise minister, encouraging them to support the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

The letter states that payments to claimants are guaranteed and this has thrown into doubt her assertion that Stormont can claw back millions. 

The Irish News revealed yesterday that by October 2011 more than a dozen companies and other bodies had warned the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment of flaws in the heating scheme.

Documents uncovered by The Irish News show that 13 had expressed concerns relating to 'over-incentivisation' as the scheme had no cap.

Arlene Foster speaks to the Irish News in October about RHI:

Sinn Fein health minister Michelle O'Neill has today urged Ms Foster to step aside while an independent inquiry takes place.

"The DUP are in denial about the mounting public outrage... Revelations that Arlene Foster had written to banks asking them to support the RHI scheme is further evidence of the need for an independent, time-framed, robust and transparent investigation into the whole RHI debacle," the Mid Ulster assembly member said.

"That investigation should be undertaken by an independent judicial figure from outside this jurisdiction and be appointed by the Attorney General.

"Arlene Foster should stand aside to facilitate that judicial led investigation until it brings forward a preliminary report," she added.

"This is what is required to restore public confidence in the Assembly and the political institutions."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt have both called for a full judicial inquiry and for the DUP leader to stand aside during it.