‘Arlene Foster’s position is rapidly becoming untenable’: Eastwood calls for urgent meeting of Stormont Public Accounts Committee

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has called for an urgent meeting of the Stormont Public Accounts Committee to take evidence from the First Minister on her involvement in the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scandal.

The Foyle MLA said that if Arlene Foster (pictured) was unwilling to provide answers, her position as First Minister would become untenable.

Mr Eastwood said: “Since the revelations in the Spotlight programme last week I have deliberately reserved my judgement on Arlene Foster’s continued position as First Minister. My view was that she should be afforded the opportunity to answer the questions about this £400 million scandal.

“Having listened to her interview with the BBC, she has totally failed to re-establish any confidence in the wake of this scandal.

“The tone of the First Minister’s interview was particularly striking.

“Her interview was seeped with the arrogant belief that she has nothing to answer for. Her position seems to be that everyone was to blame except her.

“That attitude was vividly revealed when she didn’t even show the decency of offering the whistleblower a proper apology.

“Further revelations surrounding the connection between the DUP, its special advisers and the beneficiaries of this scheme, and in particular the spike in applications for the scheme in 2015, were very notably left unanswered by Arlene Foster.

“I would wager the £400 million that very few of the viewing public will have been reassured or satisfied with her answers or her attitude. “

“I am now calling for the Public Accounts Committee to convene an urgent meeting which compels Arlene Foster to answer all relevant questions.

“Another week cannot pass by with an absence of answers - public faith and trust in our politics simply can’t afford it.

“The DUP and in particular Sinn Féin must now face up to the fact that Arlene Foster’s credibility is draining away by the hour. “

Mr Eastwood concluded: “Her failure to take any responsibility means that Arlene Foster’s position is rapidly becoming untenable.”