BREAKING Martin McGuinness is resigning as NI First Minister
A letter dated today has confirmed that Martin McGuinness will step down from his position as Deputy First Minister this evening.
The Sinn Fein member will resign with "deep regret and reluctance" at 5pm today.
As confirmed by his party, Mr McGuiness's resignation is in protest at the Democratic Unionist Party's handling of a renewable energy scheme.
Sinn Fein's @M_McGuinness_SF is resigning as Deputy First Minister with effect from 5pm over the RHI scandal. (Letter pics @markdevenport) pic.twitter.com/UmlkH3Uj6e
— Amanda Ferguson (@AmandaFBelfast) January 9, 2017
RTÉ reports that it is likely the move will prompt a snap election in the Northern Ireland Assembly. And independent.co.uk has stated that a "dangerous political crisis is now looming" in the region.
His DUP counterpart, Arlene Foster, continues to refuse to resign over a lingering financial scandal – despite repeated calls to do so from various political fractions in Northern Ireland.
She is accused of badly bundling a major government scheme while she was an executive minister.
Dubbed the “cash for ash” scandal, an apparent loophole seemed to give businesses a financial incentive to burn fuel pointless; close to half a billion pounds is thought to have been misspent in the process.
Ten years of valient service in Office Of First&DeputyFirst Minister Martin McGuinness signs resignation letter. GRMA chara 4 all Ur work. pic.twitter.com/1i4ezDTF5h
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) January 9, 2017
Furthermore, there is some suggestion that Ms Foster tried to cover-up her involvement in the programme.
She strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness talks about his sudden resignation, a possible election and whether he'll be well enough run in the election. pic.twitter.com/PAMiaVed2S
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) January 9, 2017
