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RHI scandal: First Minister faces no-confidence vote RHI scandal: Arlene Foster faces no-confidence vote
(35 minutes later)
MLAs have walked out of Northern Ireland's Assembly chamber in protest against a statement by the first minister on a botched heating scheme. NI First Minister Arlene Foster is facing a vote of no confidence over her involvement in a botched heating scheme that could cost the taxpayer £400m.
The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme could cost the NI taxpayer £400m. Earlier, MLAs walked out of the Assembly chamber in protest against a statement by the DUP leader into the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
DUP leader Arlene Foster said that not introducing crucial cost-control measures in the scheme was her "deepest political regret". She said that not introducing crucial cost-control measures in the scheme was her "deepest political regret".
Amid chaotic scenes in Stormont, she is facing a vote of no confidence over her involvement in the scheme. Other parties objected to her being given permission to make the statement.
The other parties objected to Mrs Foster being given permission to make a ministerial statement, arguing that the statement did not have the authority of the Executive Office. The Office of First and Deputy First Minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly is a joint role and the deputy first minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, had withdrawn his approval for Mrs Foster to speak on the issue.
The Office of First and Deputy First Minister at the Northern Ireland Assembly is a joint role and the Deputy First Minister, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, had withdrawn his approval for Mrs Foster to speak on the issue.
The RHI was set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Deti) under the stewardship of Mrs Foster in 2012 to encourage businesses and other non-domestic users to move from using fossil fuels to renewable heating systems.The RHI was set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Deti) under the stewardship of Mrs Foster in 2012 to encourage businesses and other non-domestic users to move from using fossil fuels to renewable heating systems.
But flaws in setting the scheme's subsidy rate left it open to abuse as claimants could earn more cash the more fuel they burned.But flaws in setting the scheme's subsidy rate left it open to abuse as claimants could earn more cash the more fuel they burned.
The scheme was finally halted early this year, by which time its overall cost had reached £1.18bn.The scheme was finally halted early this year, by which time its overall cost had reached £1.18bn.
About £20m a year for the next two decades could be taken from the Northern Ireland budget to cover the overspend.About £20m a year for the next two decades could be taken from the Northern Ireland budget to cover the overspend.
'Political gallows'
The no-confidence motion was tabled by the SDLP and is backed by the UUP, Alliance Party, Green Party, TUV and People Before Profit, but Mrs Foster has decried it as a "trial by television" and "a Carry On film-type coup d'état".
Proposing the motion, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said digging into the RHI scandal had uncovered "staggering incompetence", and that digging deeper "may uncover corruption".
He appealed to Mrs Foster to think beyond herself and her party and step aside.
In a fiery response, the first minister railed against being rushed to the "political gallows", saying there was a premature and inappropriate race to judge her.
"They can't gang up and kick out the elected leaders of unionism," she said of her political rivals.
"I am here and I will be staying here... I have acted with the highest level of integrity."
Three hours have been set aside to allow MLAs to debate the no-confidence motion.
Analysis - BBC News NI political correspondent Enda McClaffertyAnalysis - BBC News NI political correspondent Enda McClafferty
When it works, it shows politics in Northern Ireland is moving in the right direction but when it goes wrong it reopens old wounds and leaves the institutions hanging by a thread.When it works, it shows politics in Northern Ireland is moving in the right direction but when it goes wrong it reopens old wounds and leaves the institutions hanging by a thread.
Joint ministerial authority means Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness have equal power and cannot work in isolation. They have no choice.Joint ministerial authority means Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness have equal power and cannot work in isolation. They have no choice.
That's why Arlene Foster's decision to make a statement without the support of her partner in office today has plunged Stormont into a fresh crisis.That's why Arlene Foster's decision to make a statement without the support of her partner in office today has plunged Stormont into a fresh crisis.
Joint office is the bond which holds Stormont together, it now appears to be melting fast in this heating scandal.Joint office is the bond which holds Stormont together, it now appears to be melting fast in this heating scandal.
Opposition politicians were highly critical of the Stormont Speaker Robin Newton for allowing Mrs Foster's statement to proceed. Earlier, Opposition politicians had been highly critical of Stormont Speaker Robin Newton for allowing Mrs Foster's statement to proceed.
The SDLP leader Colum Eastwood argued that Mr Newton's decision had come perilously close to ripping up the joint nature of the Executive office. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr Newton's decision came perilously close to ripping up the joint nature of the Executive Office.
When proceedings resumed following an initial walk-out, speaker Robin Newton came under concerted pressure from MLAs over his decision to take the first minister's statement in the absence of Sinn Féin approval. But after hearing objections from a number of MLAs, Mrs Foster finally told the depleted chamber no-one in government nor industry had picked up on crucial failings in relation to the overgenerous tariff offered by the RHI scheme.
After hearing objections from a number of MLAs, Mrs Foster finally addressed the depleted chamber. She said she had not imposed the scheme on the people of Northern Ireland, adding that while she was setting out a plan to deal with the fall out, others were trying to use the situation for political gain.
She said no-one in government or industry had picked up on crucial failings in relation to the overgenerous tariff offered by the RHI scheme.
Mrs Foster told MLAs she had not imposed the scheme on the people of Northern Ireland, adding that while she was setting out a plan to deal with the fall out, others were trying to use the situation for political gain.
The motion to exclude Mrs Foster from ministerial office while the RHI scheme is investigated was tabled by the SDLP.
It has the backing of the UUP, Alliance Party, Green Party, TUV and People Before Profit.
Sinn Féin wanted Mrs Foster to step aside during an investigation by an independent judicial figure, but the party's proposed amendment to the SDLP motion was ruled inadmissible.Sinn Féin wanted Mrs Foster to step aside during an investigation by an independent judicial figure, but the party's proposed amendment to the SDLP motion was ruled inadmissible.
The DUP supports an investigation, but rejected calls for the first minister to step down.The DUP supports an investigation, but rejected calls for the first minister to step down.
No credibility?No credibility?
In an interview with the BBC's Stephen Nolan on Thursday, Mr Bell, a former enterprise minister, broke ranks with his DUP colleagues and made a number of sensational claims about how the controversial scheme was handled.In an interview with the BBC's Stephen Nolan on Thursday, Mr Bell, a former enterprise minister, broke ranks with his DUP colleagues and made a number of sensational claims about how the controversial scheme was handled.
He said DUP advisers had delayed his plans to close down the scheme.He said DUP advisers had delayed his plans to close down the scheme.
The party denies this, and Arlene Foster has criticised Mr Bell's handling of the matter.The party denies this, and Arlene Foster has criticised Mr Bell's handling of the matter.
Mr Bell had said a whistleblower civil servant had told him references to Mrs Foster were removed from a document as the ending of the scheme was being considered.Mr Bell had said a whistleblower civil servant had told him references to Mrs Foster were removed from a document as the ending of the scheme was being considered.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton released documents on Sunday which he said questioned Mr Bell's version of events, although he conceded serious allegations made by Mr Bell warranted investigation.Economy Minister Simon Hamilton released documents on Sunday which he said questioned Mr Bell's version of events, although he conceded serious allegations made by Mr Bell warranted investigation.
Mr Bell was suspended from the DUP over the weekend for speaking to the press without permission.Mr Bell was suspended from the DUP over the weekend for speaking to the press without permission.
The Treasury, which was due to cover the cost of the RHI scheme, said the executive would have to find the money for the enormous overspend.The Treasury, which was due to cover the cost of the RHI scheme, said the executive would have to find the money for the enormous overspend.
But Mrs Foster said that the executive believes at least half of the scheme's projected £400m cost to the Stormont budget can still be saved.But Mrs Foster said that the executive believes at least half of the scheme's projected £400m cost to the Stormont budget can still be saved.