Opinion

Analysis: Timothy Johnston's much-anticipated public appearance fails to match expectations

Timothy Johnston accepted that he was a the top of the DUP spad hierarchy
Timothy Johnston accepted that he was a the top of the DUP spad hierarchy Timothy Johnston accepted that he was a the top of the DUP spad hierarchy

TIMOTHY Johnston's appearance was billed as one of the most important oral evidence sessions of the RHI inquiry. The 40-year-old was at the heart of Stormont administration for a decade, serving as an aide to three DUP first ministers. The inquiry heard him described as the "most powerful person in the DUP" after the leader, an A-list witness whose every word, gesture and facial expression would be scrutinised by observers to the nth degree.

For those with high expectations of the DUP chief executive's rare public appearance there will undoubtedly be a sense of disappointment. His first day in front of the inquiry – he'll be back to complete his evidence at a later date – is best described as a scoreless draw with very little goalmouth action.

Had we not previously heard about the Jonathan Bell-Tim Cairns bust up or how special advisers were appointed with a standardised letter that bore no relation to the selection process, then perhaps yesterday's session would've have been regarded as insightful. As it was, we were given a rerun of previously aired evidence, with Mr Johnston asked to offer his particular take.

The man DUP insiders call 'TJ' accepted the assertion from colleagues that there was a 'hierarchy' of party spads, suggesting this was largely a reflection of experience gained through longevity in post.

Throughout the day, he was assured and calm, his demeanour supporting the suspicion that he may have been coached ahead of his appearance. At no point was he rattled in exchanges which at times had the tone of a dinner party chat rather than an interrogation.

Once again, Mr Bell's reputation was undermined, though Mr Johnston qualified his assessment of the former enterprise minister and Peter Robinson loyalist by highlighting that he didn't so much lack the ability for a senior role, he just rarely matched it with effort.

"I never found Mr Bell to be interested in detail," he said of the executive minister who inherited the RHI from Arlene Foster just as it was getting messy.

On the crucial claim from Mr Cairns that he voiced opposition to curbing the RHI's generous subsidies in the summer of 2015, Mr Johnston was adamant his former colleague was "wrong". He was sent an email from fellow spad Andrew Crawford which included recommendations about the scheme could be reined in, yet according to Mr Johnston he was on holiday at the time and later deleted it unopened.

On the basis of his performance yesterday, speculation that Mr Johnston's time at the top of the DUP is nearing its end would appear somewhat premature.