Opinion

Tom Kelly: DUP has made themselves look like the Borgias

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly

Tom Kelly is an Irish News columnist with a background in politics and public relations. He is also a former member of the Policing Board.

It’s like a Protestant version of Father Ted - without Ted. The whole God invocation ‘thingy’ by the former minister, Jonathan Bell, however sincerely expressed, was cringeworthy. Picture by BBC 
It’s like a Protestant version of Father Ted - without Ted. The whole God invocation ‘thingy’ by the former minister, Jonathan Bell, however sincerely expressed, was cringeworthy. Picture by BBC  It’s like a Protestant version of Father Ted - without Ted. The whole God invocation ‘thingy’ by the former minister, Jonathan Bell, however sincerely expressed, was cringeworthy. Picture by BBC 

IRISH adventurer Gavin Hennigan left these shores last week to row across the Atlantic.

I interviewed him for Q Radio and I was hugely impressed with this man who conquered his addictions to become an extreme sports competitor.

I was particularly taken by his tenacity, integrity and grit - qualities needed for politics too.

On leaving he posted on Facebook an old Irish proverb – ‘Faigheann an fharraige a cuid fein’ (the sea receives its own). It’s a warning to cocky fishermen that the sea always claims its fair share of their lives. It struck me as an ominous warning.

Later I caught the Nolan Show on BBC radio and got hooked for four days of torturously slow revelations about the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) more commonly now known as the ‘cash for ash’ scheme.

To his credit, it was Nolan at his best, though why exactly opposition leaders tripped so dutifully into the studio each day to pass comment on revelations they had no detail about is beyond my comprehension.

Nolan’s style is hugely entertaining but it’s not always as equally informative. Then on Thursday he tantalisingly teased us with what seemed be a Damascene revelation from former Deti minister, now DUP back bencher, Jonathan Bell. It would, we were promised, send shock waves throughout the political world - if only we would wait until 10.40pm that night.

Again, the opposition trotted into the studio to welcome what they had not yet heard and to heap praise on the integrity of the former minister.

The day became fevered with political gossip. Baby faced Spads and hipster researchers were hosting Nolan slumber parties across the city to watch the most publicised programme since Who Shot JR.

And so, the moment arrived. Now maybe it’s just my cynical Irish Catholic upbringing but the communal praying moment on TV left me cold.

It’s like a Protestant version of Father Ted - without Ted. The whole God invocation ‘thingy’ by the former minister, Jonathan Bell, however sincerely expressed, was cringeworthy.

When the incantation, ‘Though the heavens may fall let justice be done’ (or as we Catholics prefer, ‘Fait justia, ruat caelum’) arrived, I nearly reached for the bowl.

Anyone who knows the former minister - myself included - will attest to his affable demeanour, jovial nature and people friendly attitude but he, like many other politicians, can appear vainglorious and this seemed like one of those moments.

His approach to seeing the light - albeit belatedly - was very evangelical and perhaps alien to those of us more used to the secrecy of the confessional.

His half hour of ‘witness’ or performance depending on which you prefer was commanding, assured and quite convincing.

Certainly, naming two senior civil servants added to his believability as both are renowned for their integrity. What was clear is that he had no intention of allowing himself or his reputation to be thrown under a bus to save the blushes of those in his party hierarchy.

Bell says he has facts but the interview revealed very few. He expressed concerns to his party deputy leader and chairman but didn’t tell us their reaction.

To validate his position, Bell has put civil servants in an almost impossible position, nonetheless they must now speak out.

Next to camera was the First Minister in a very ill-advised and ill-prepared appearance. Since this matter came to public attention the normally sure-footed DUP media operation has adopted a Frank Spencer approach to crisis management, called chaos.

Doing interviews that require empathetic connection with an audience isn’t the First Minister’s strongest point.

Despite a light touch approach Arlene came across as irritated. In a world where perception is everything the DUP now look like the Borgias.

As a party, the DUP coveted the key finance minister’s post until they had to forgo it this year, so it’s nearly inconceivable that a finance minister would not be over the detail of a scheme that was literally burning a hole in departmental budgets.

The so called ‘cash for ash’ scheme was deeply flawed and there wasn’t just one red flag, there were many from the Treasury to the department to the whistleblowers until eventually even the ministers got the message.

But to what end will a public or committee inquiry serve if there are no penalties? If there has been wrong-doing in public office, political interference or misuse of a well-intended scheme then make it a police matter.

History shows that politics, like the cruel sea, eventually claims its own.