Northern Ireland deputy first minister resigns

LONDON

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has announced his resignation on Monday in protest against the Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) handling of a renewable energy scheme scandal.

In his resignation letter, McGuinness blamed the DUP leader and the minister in charge of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Arlene Foster, with having "clear conflict of interest" and being "completely out of step with a public mood".

“The refusal of Arlene Foster to recognise the public anger or to exhibit any humility in the context of the RHI scandal is indicative of a deep-seated arrogance, which is inflicting enormous damage on the executive, the assembly and the entire body politic” he stated.

McGuinness also said his Sinn Fein would not nominate another to the deputy first minister position.

“We now need an election to allow the people to make their own judgement on these issues democratically at the ballot box," he added.

The resignation of Martin McGuinness is expected to lead to a snap Assembly election in six weeks, as a first minister cannot hold the seat without a power-sharing deputy first minister.

The RHI scheme was aimed to install eco-friendly heating systems in Northern Ireland to encourage renewable energy sources.

However, failings in the design of the scheme reportedly enabled people to abuse the system to receive more incentives. Scheme have exceeded the fund set by the Treasury by more than £490 million ($596 million).