RHI scandal: After Assembly 'shambles' Sinn Fein to table motion early next month calling on Arlene Foster to step aside as First Minister

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Martin McGuinness has called on the other parties in the Assembly to support a Sinn Féin motion next month calling on Arlene Foster to step aside as First Minister over her handling of the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Sinn Fein today left the Assembly chamber when the SDLP put forward a similar motion.

Speaking afterwards, Mr McGuinness (pictured), the Deputy First Minister described today’s events at Stormont as “a shambles.”

He said: “Today we have witnessed a shambles in the Assembly, our institutions should not have to endure another day like this.

“The RHI scandal is a massive waste of public funds and the issue will not go away.

“There is a need to restore public confidence in the Assembly and the political institutions.

“Sinn Féin will be bringing forward a motion in early January, which deals comprehensively with the substantive issues surrounding this debacle. The motion includes three key elements.

“First, there needs to be a robust time-framed, transparent and independent investigation.

“Secondly, we need proposals from the Finance Minister and the Economy Minister to reduce the losses to the public purse from this disastrous scheme.

“And thirdly, we believe while this is going on that the First Minister should stand aside during this process.”

Mr McGuinness concluded: “It is a strong and reasonable approach and we are calling on the other parties to support our motion in January.”