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RHI: Ex-DUP advisers to give evidence to inquiry Ex-minister told lies over flawed green scheme, says DUP head of press
(about 4 hours later)
Two former DUP special advisers will give evidence later to a public inquiry investigating NI's flawed green energy scheme. The DUP's director of communications has accused a former ministerial colleague of telling lies about the handling of NI's flawed green energy scheme.
John Robinson is the DUP's director of communications, and a former adviser in the economy department. John Robinson made the claim about ex-DUP Enterprise Minister Jonathan Bell.
Stephen Brimstone was an adviser in several Stormont departments, but left his role in the DUP in late 2016. He is appearing at the inquiry into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme was set up in 2012 to encourage uptake of eco-friendly heat systems. It was set up in 2012 to encourage uptake of eco-friendly heat systems, but overgenerous fuel subsidies left NI taxpayers with a £490m bill.
But an overgenerous offer of fuel subsidies meant it could cost taxpayers an extra £490m. The scheme's failings led to the establishment of a public inquiry in January 2017.
Its failings led to the establishment of a public inquiry in January 2017. It was during that time, that Mr Bell named Mr Robinson in the NI Assembly as one of two DUP advisers who wanted to delay cost controls to the scheme because their families had "extensive interests in the poultry sector".
Former enterprise minister Jonathan Bell first went public with claims about the influence of DUP advisers pressurising him to extend the scheme when he tried to close it in December 2016. Poultry farmers made up the majority of RHI claimants.
A month later, Mr Bell named John Robinson during a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly as one of two DUP advisers who had "extensive interests in the poultry industry" and wanted the scheme kept open. 'Shocked'
Mr Robinson told the inquiry that Mr Bell's claim was completely untrue.
He said none of his immediate family had boilers and that when he was named by Mr Bell, he was "as shocked as anyone".
He told the panel the claim was "hurtful" and that it catapulted his family into a media spotlight they did not deserve.
"Jonathan told lies, he knows he told lies and I'll just leave it at that," he said.
Although none of his immediate family are on the RHI scheme, Mr Robinson's father-in-law is a claimant, having applied in August 2015.
'Conflict of interest''Conflict of interest'
At the time, Mr Robinson said his family farm had chicken houses which were not part of the RHI scheme, but did not mention that his in-laws had benefitted from the green energy subsidy.
It was later revealed that his father-in-law is a claimant and had applied to the scheme in August 2015.
Mr Robinson said he did not discuss the RHI scheme with his father-in-law and that neither he nor his wife had any role or benefit in his in-laws' farming business.Mr Robinson said he did not discuss the RHI scheme with his father-in-law and that neither he nor his wife had any role or benefit in his in-laws' farming business.
In his witness statement, published on Tuesday night, Mr Robinson said he "regretted" not seeking an opportunity to make his party aware of his relatives' connection to the scheme earlier.In his witness statement, published on Tuesday night, Mr Robinson said he "regretted" not seeking an opportunity to make his party aware of his relatives' connection to the scheme earlier.
"I accept that some may have perceived this as a conflict of interest with my work as a special adviser," he added."I accept that some may have perceived this as a conflict of interest with my work as a special adviser," he added.
After his family connection to the scheme became public knowledge, Mr Robinson stepped aside from advising the then Economy Minister Simon Hamilton on RHI issues.After his family connection to the scheme became public knowledge, Mr Robinson stepped aside from advising the then Economy Minister Simon Hamilton on RHI issues.
When the assembly dissolved for the upcoming election in March 2017, sparked by the RHI scandal, he lost his adviser job.When the assembly dissolved for the upcoming election in March 2017, sparked by the RHI scandal, he lost his adviser job.
But Mr Robinson returned to his previous role as the DUP's director of press communications.But Mr Robinson returned to his previous role as the DUP's director of press communications.
On Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, Stephen Brimstone will appear before the RHI inquiry for the first time. On Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday, another former DUP special adviser will appear before the RHI inquiry for the first time.
It has already emerged that he is a claimant on the scheme, as is his brother, Aaron. It has already emerged that Stephen Brimstone is a claimant on the scheme, as is his brother, Aaron.
'Information purposes''Information purposes'
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said Mr Brimstone's link to the scheme was not a factor in his decision to quit his job as a special adviser in late 2016.DUP leader Arlene Foster has said Mr Brimstone's link to the scheme was not a factor in his decision to quit his job as a special adviser in late 2016.
According to Mr Bell, Mr Brimstone was also one of three advisers who witnessed a tense and angry exchange between him and Arlene Foster over the proposed closure of the scheme in early 2016, but he has said that was not the case.According to Mr Bell, Mr Brimstone was also one of three advisers who witnessed a tense and angry exchange between him and Arlene Foster over the proposed closure of the scheme in early 2016, but he has said that was not the case.
In his witness statement to the inquiry, Mr Brimstone has said he told Mrs Foster "only for information purposes" in January 2016 that he had applied to the scheme, as he was then advising her in the first minister's office.In his witness statement to the inquiry, Mr Brimstone has said he told Mrs Foster "only for information purposes" in January 2016 that he had applied to the scheme, as he was then advising her in the first minister's office.
He had applied to the scheme in August 2015.He had applied to the scheme in August 2015.
Mr Brimstone has been in the public eye before: he was an aide to former social development minister Nelson McCausland, during which time he became entangled in a housing maintenance scandal.Mr Brimstone has been in the public eye before: he was an aide to former social development minister Nelson McCausland, during which time he became entangled in a housing maintenance scandal.
On Friday, the inquiry will hear from another former DUP special adviser, Timothy Johnston, who is now the party's chief executive.On Friday, the inquiry will hear from another former DUP special adviser, Timothy Johnston, who is now the party's chief executive.