SINN FEIN MLAs will meet today to decide on whether to stay in the Assembly or collapse it over the £400 million green heating scandal.
Yesterday, Foyle MLA Martin McGuiness called on Arlene Foster to “stand aside” as first minister while the ‘cash-for-ash’ scandal is investigated.
The deputy first minister said he was concerned that “credibility of the political institutions is being undermined”.
But Mrs Foster replied that she would not be stepping aside and “does not take her instructions from Sinn Féin”.
The statement from Mr McGuinness followed a similar call by SDLP leader and Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood.
The SDLP has secured over 30 signatures for its motion of no confidence in Foster and Mr Eastwood has called on Sinn Fein to back its motion.
Mrs Foster was responsible for introducing the RHI scheme in her former role as minister for enterprise, trade and investment.
However, overgenerous offers of fuel subsidies and a lack of cost controls meant the scheme overspent by hundreds of millions of pounds.
Mr McGuinness said the RHI allegations included claims from former DUP minster Jonathan Bell that there was “corruption”.
Sinn Féin is said to be under internal pressure and some of its supporters are asking why is the party propping up the powersharing government.
Today’s meeting, which will be attended by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, will plot the party’s way forward next week.
The First Minister will face tough questions on Monday for a specially recalled Assembly to discuss the RHI scandal.
On Thursday, former Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell claimed some DUP special advisers (SPADs) attempted to “cleanse the record” by removing references to Mrs Foster and her department from documents linked to the scheme.
The ex-DUP minister also alleged some SPADs prevented him from closing down the most expensive part of the scheme last autumn.
“Taxpayers’ money wasted in this scheme, needs to be retrieved,” Mr McGuinness said.
“It is my belief the only way to establish the truth, and rebuild the reputation of the institutions, is to urgently establish a fully independent investigation into this matter.
“In addition, I also said that, in the public interest, she should stand aside from the role as first minister while that investigation is under way and at least until an initial assessment had been concluded into the veracity of all the allegations.”
In response, a DUP statement said: “The first minister will not be stepping aside, but instead is focused on ensuring the full facts about this issue emerge and proposals are brought forward which can make a significant reduction in the future financial burden the Executive would face.
“The first minister does not take her instructions from Sinn Féin, but from the electorate.”
The SDLP leader Colm Eastwood welcomed the Deputy First Minister’s intervention.
He said: “It’s right that he now moves to adopt the position of authority that Opposition parties have already taken.
“Sinn Féin must say publicly and clearly that they will support our efforts to restore confidence in our institutions and reach the truth of this matter.
“This is not a time for further equivocation.”
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