SF: Foster stance 'makes mockery' of institutions

Sinn Féin Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has said that for Arlene Foster to remain in post during an investigation "makes a mockery" of the Stormont institutions.

"The conflict of interest is perhaps as blatant as I have seen in my political life", he said.

Mr Ó Muilleoir described the first minister as "the architect of the RHI debacle" and said that for her to stay in her role while an investigation was underway would "undermine confidence".

He also said that he had not met with his counterpart in the Economy Department, Simon Hamilton, since 20 December, but hoped to hold "clear-the-air" talks with him on Thursday.

Mr Ó Muilleoir's comments come after Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams warned that Stormont had reached a defining point over how it handles the fallout from the renewables scandal.

He said the situation could be "sorted out", but only if Mrs Foster stands aside.

In his column for the Andersonstown News, Mr Adams claimed that neither the public nor his party can "continue to countenance the manner in which the DUP conduct business within the Executive and the Assembly".

"If she wants to continue in that office she needs to do the right thing." he added.