First Minister's Position Is 'Untenable' If She Does Not Stand Aside - SF

Sinn Féin's National Chairperson has said if the First Minister does not stand aside while an investigation over the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is carried out, her position will become "untenable".

Mrs Arlene Foster has refused calls to stand aside.

Declan Kearney MLA said the political process is being dragged towards an "unprecedented tipping point" as a result of the DUP's behaviour around the RHI scandal. 

He said: "Recently, we have seen the Speaker compromise the neutrality of his office, and the DUP leader and others show unvarnished arrogance towards other political parties, the wider community, and regarding the significance of the growing political crisis brought about by the RHI scandal. 

"This why the DUP leader should step aside from the First Minister's office to allow a time-framed, comprehensive, independent investigation, led by an international jurist."

The South Antrim MLA also said pointedly that the Good Friday Agreement cannot be set to the side at the whim of the DUP.

"Political accountability; opposition to austerity; defence of public services and stimulating economic growth; and entrenchment of equality, social justice and democratic rights, must be at the heart of the political institutions.

"The DUP needs to make up their mind, and decide whether as a party it's committed to the ongoing transformation of northern society, or not.

"This much is clear: it is not acceptable for it to continue opposing parity of esteem for the Irish language and Irish identity; promoting institutionalised bigotry; rejecting and ridiculing the need for reconciliation; and, treating the legacy of the past as a new battlefield."

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA said: "Common sense says the resources used to find the truth are the same in terms of time, cost, scope and other factors whether an investigation or inquiry, therefore the argument an inquiry would take longer and cost more to do the same job is either nonsense or an admission by Sinn Fein their proposed investigation would be less thorough.

"The Attorney General, who is appointed by the Executive Office, cannot appoint judges, who are senior to him. The correct mechanism would be for the Lord Chief Justice to advise the First Minister and deputy First Minister on which judge to appoint.

"Alliance has consistently argued for an independent, judge-led inquiry, which would have the required powers to complete the work. The time for he said, she said, has passed. We need the facts and at this point, the only mechanism which can provide that is a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act.

"This crisis can only be addressed by complete openness and transparency. Anything short of this would raise a number of questions and give the perception of something being hidden."

(CD/LM)