09/01/2017 BBC Newsline

You're watching a specially extended BBC Newsline,

with one main story - the Deputy First Minister Martin

McGuinness announces that he's stepping down.

He says the public are outraged at the squandering of money,

Today I have told Arlene Foster that I have tendered my resignation,

effective from five o'clock today. I believe today is the right time to

call halt to the DUP's arrogance. Arlene Foster said she is

disappointed by Sinn Fein's decision, which she says leaves no

government to resolve the problem. I'm at Stormont where we'll be

asking how we got to this point, we'll have reaction from all

the parties here and we'll be trying In our other news this evening,

a drunk driver who killed teenage student has his jail term increased

by the appeal court. As the last United Airlines flight

from Belfast to New York takes off, hope that other airlines may

interested in taking over the route. And it's been chilly enough today

after the mild weather over the weekend but that's nothing

compared to what's coming our Warnings have been issued for both

snow and strong winds. Martin McGuinness says he is

resigning as Deputy First Minister because it's "time to call a halt

to the DUP's arrogance". While there has been more

than a month of political wrangling over the renewable heat scandal,

in his formal resignation letter to the Assembly

Speaker Robin Newton, Mr McGuinness said that The DUP had

never fully embraced "the equality, mutual respect and all-Ireland

approaches enshrined He also said successive

British governments had. "Undermined the process of change

by refusing to honour agreements ... While imposing austerity

and Brexit against the best Mr McGuinness then went

on to say that the DUP leader Arlene Foster had a clear

conflict of interest". And as "

The minister responsible for the RHI role in overseeing how it

would be rectified." Mr McGuinness who has been suffering

from ill-health in recent months said that had nothing to do

with his decision to leave office. In a moment, in this specially

extended BBC Newsline, we'll hear what his resignation

means for the Assembly and the prospect of an election

as Sinn Fein say they will not be We will find out what his

resignation means for the assembly and look forward to the prospect of

an election but first our correspondent Gareth Gordon looks to

the announcement that took many by surprise. He looked and sounded

frail but there was no doubting the strength of what Martin McGuinness

was about to say. We in Sinn Fein will not tolerate the arrogance of

Arlene Foster and the DUP, Sinn Fein was -- Sinn Fein wants equality and

respect for everyone and that is what this process must be about. So

today I have told Arlene Foster that I have tendered my resignation,

effective from five o'clock today. He made it clear this was no longer

just about the heating scandal and that alone. Said other decisions.

The speckled assertions. The RHI was -- has run over by half ?1 billion

and has left the process wide open to corruption. All of these things

are hugely concerning for others in Sinn Fein and you can see by the

wiki debate on hurling side has continued in the cause of recent

times there is a massive public outcry. There may not be a mass of

public-private outcry in the ranks of the DUP, I told Arlene Foster the

DUP have been living in a bubble. They do not seem to understand how

serious the general public and voters and other parties in the

assembly make of this ridiculous situation which bears full

responsibility for the Minnesota the DUP rebel in charge. Martin

McGuinness was asked if his health was a factor. My health has

absolutely nothing to do with this whatsoever, I have been deeply

involved in all of the conversations in the course of recent weeks, not

just with our negotiating team but I was here last week speaking to

Arlene Foster. I have been doing my job. As is appropriate for me to do

so. Sounds like it'll take more an election to resolve this. There will

be no interruption to the status quo and spent -- now return to the

status quo except on terms acceptable to Sinn Fein. The

situation we have been dealing with this unacceptable, I have now called

a halt to the DUP arrogance and of the DUP think in the aftermath of an

election that they can step back into ministerial positions short of

resolving the critical issues, some of which I have identified during

the course of this conversation, then they are living in a fools

paradise. In an election will Martin McGuinness be a candidate? Goal that

is something I will speak to you about at a later date, about my

resignation. Ten years ago Martin McGuinness began a relationship with

a DUP leader that was warmer than anyone could have expected. But as

the cash for ash scandal heated up things with Arlene Foster cools

down, and Stormont now faces a very long time with a deep freeze, --

with a deep freeze. Let's get analysis from our

political editor Mark Devenport and Mark people will be surprised

not just by the announcement by Martin McGuinness today but also

by the obvious deterioration Sinn Fein has not specified what the

illness is that Martin McGuinness has been suffering from City Council

that your god is the trip to China last month, but you don't have to be

a doctor to be light it is serious. Has it been a factor in the

decision-making in this? Martin says no, what we did speak to the former

Sinn Fein MLA Daniel Mackay earlier today and he said that comments from

Arlene Foster at the about Sinn Fein politicians jockeying for politician

-- for position behind Martin McGuinness's back at up the ante. I

think those comments from the First Minister went down like a lead

balloon, obviously the First Minister thought that by trying to

raise the health of the Deputy First Minister that she could create a

distraction from her own problems but I think all it does, all it has

done is highlighted the lack of leadership skills the First Minister

has because if the Deputy First Minister had been in the same

position he would not have taken advantage of his partner's health.

Set out the timetable of what happens. At five o'clock tonight

Martin McGuinness and Arlene Foster officially stop being first and

Debbie diverse minister. Arlene Foster can still carry out some

functions of the office but effectively the clock is ticking and

the bat on passes to the Secretary of State on Monday. It is then up to

him to cause a -- to call an election. You can take a reasonable

measure of time by doing that but if he does call an election on a

six-week campaign we could look at a fresh poll in early March.

And all the while, while the election campaign takes place, what

happens with the RHI scheme? In terms of stemming potential

losses, ?490 million, that is now scheme that has been put in place.

In terms of the Green bean independent investigation, nothing

on that score either. Some might say we are cutting off our nose to spite

our face but Sinn Fein says when we return it will not be to the status

quo so that must mean wider negotiations not just on the

renewable heat scandal but on a wider range of issues.

Well Martin's McGuinness's decision to resign comes almost ten years

BBC Newsline's Mark Simpson looks back at some of the twists

and turns which led up to today's dramatic events.

He has been Stormont's longest serving minister, stretching back to

the early days of power-sharing. I nominate Martin McGuinness as

Minister for education. An even bigger surprise was to come when he

became Deputy First Minister, he got an remarkably well with Ian Paisley.

We have been described as the chuckle Brothers by people who

thought that might by people who would have demeaned as in the

beginning. It turned against them in the end and we hope we can chuckle

through 2008. Would Peter Robinson took over as First Minister

relations became strained, very strange, but they somehow managed to

work through it. We have disagreements at times, there has

never been an occasion where we have refused to speak to one another so

we have the ability to sit down and work out your problems. When Arlene

Foster became First Minister initially be worked well together,

and at the time of last year 's election Martin McGuinness said he

was looking forward to making the new executive work. I am as fit as a

fiddle, I have all my faculties and great support from my family and

party and they are adamant I continue with the work I do. The IRA

tried to kill Arlene Foster's father, for how this meant that

working with Sinn Fein was never easy but she said she was prepared

to do it for the greater good. I want to focus on the future and not

the past. One of the big challenges was a Brexit Ford, it did make life

difficult but did not cause a crisis. The test will be how this

British Prime Minister deals with the issues of concern that we have

raised to what will be a very historic negotiation. Now a definite

was Asian is on the cards. On the table will be RHI, the Irish

language, social issues, dealing with the past and all the other

issues that have poured DUP and Sinn Fein apart in recent months. That --

now a definite change is on the cards.

Let's TZ some of those issues. Paul, you have been accused of arrogant

and living in a bubble. Given that came from Gerry Adams that is said

on that issue. Obviously we're disappointed that Martin has decided

to resign and walk away instead of dealing with these problems, we had

an election months ago and Arlene was returned with a renewed mandate

of over 200,000 votes, Sinn Fein did not like that and I can understand

why but we need to work through these problems but instead they

walked through the door. We will go to the country and put forward

positions and let's be clear, this is not about the RHI scheme, the now

can't be an enquiry because of Sinn Fein, we cannot recover the money

under the proposals that we are ready to use because of Sinn Fein,

instead they have called an election. Because this is about

removing Arlene Foster as the leader of unionism and weakening unionism

to pursue a public agenda. Did you take Sinn Fein and the support for

granted? We did not, we recognise that the electorate at the people

return individuals to office, we do business with people on that basis.

We are not friends with Sinn Fein did not seek to be friends with Sinn

Fein but we do business with Sinn Fein because that is the electorate

decided to return. The public will suffer as a result of this decision

because cannot now have a budget. And the finance Minister knows that

better than anyone else. The voluntary and community sector will

be pitting people on notice. The Bedroom Tax for example, I can bring

a regulation in to stop that being introduced to Sinn Fein have two be

held to account for how they are using the public. With painting does

Arlene Foster stepping aside six weeks ago not look like a better

action? Arlene Foster is being called to account three Sinn Fein

Republican agenda, not evidence. That is due process to be followed,

we said we want the enquiry and said that we would have a public enquiry

under the enquiry is act 2005. Sinn Fein did not want that. We wanted

proposals to deal with these costs and Sinn Fein did not want it, they

want to go to the country because there are internal issues in

republicanism that is clear from the interview that Martin McGuinness has

given over who will replace him and there is a wider narrative around

the maze development, the Irish line which act, all the things that Sinn

Fein don't like. They have brought the issue is down. How the comeback

as a result of the -- after the results of the electorate is the

challenge. So that is not alternative? We are calling time on

corruption and arrogance, corruption evidence by red sky and numb and RHI

scheme, and of course there can be no investigation into the RHI scheme

until Arlene Foster steps aside. She has scuppered the investigation by

refusing to do that. But also breathtaking arrogance and

disrespect for the tradition as evidenced by the decision at the

mouth of Christmas, to take ?50,000 from children who want to learn

Irish language. Talking about straws that broke the camel 's back, the

RHI scheme and awaited DUP have created that scheme and refused to

shoot the military or allow us to have the investigation -- refused to

show humility. The issues that both concerned about, of course we are

concerned about, we want to see good governance. Did they take you for

granted? We want a government that has zero tolerance for sectarianism

of corruption. Did they take the public for granted? Did the bite off

more than they could chew? Did do not listen to the warnings?

Absolutely. The DUP were told again and again, act with respect to

everyone. Now we are facing internal action over corruption and

arrogance. Martin McGuinness said there will be no corrupt -- now

return to the status quo. It is clear that there will be protracted

negotiations are so we could have no Stormont for a couple of years. That

is up to the DUP in particular poll has already said about what happens

after the election. I'm saying very clearly there will be no return to

the status quo, we will not go back to any government that tolerates

corruption or sectarianism in any way and that is what has been

hallowed to happen in the last few weeks with the RHI scheme. We have

called time on that. Poll about the decision not Irish language that was

read by many nationalists as extremely arrogant. That is not the

case, Irish language is for everyone, it was Unionist to kept

the language alive Scottish Presbyterians, a language that all

should be proud of. When you look at Bursaries around ?500 per child, is

that money that could have been better spent? It was not an attack

on the Irish language. But to weaponised and use it as a cultural

weapon which Sinn Fein have done repeatedly that is what does most

damage to the Irish language. Do you find yourself in a long negotiations

when the Irish language act will come on the table and you will be

forced to bring that its additions up and running? The DUP have never

been forced to do anything at the behest of Sinn Fein and we will not

be forced to remove a leader at the behest of Sinn Fein. What are you

saying to the public? You will have no government for X number of

months? We want the government to work. We have shown government can

work and none of the issues that Sinn Fein have now used to justify

calling time as they have put it on these institutions are not the one

year ago, two years ago in terms of debates but for whatever reason and

the public know what they are within the republican movement there using

those reasons to bring these institutions to ahead thank you

both. The Secretary of State James

Brokenshire said a short time ago that the UK government

would do all it can to help The position is clear. If Sinn Fein

does not nominate a replacement to the role of the different minister

then I am obliged to call an election of the assembly within a

reasonable period. I would urge the political parties, the leaders of

the political parties to come together and work together to find a

solution to the current position and we will be doing all that we can

with the political parties and the Irish government to that end.

I'm joined now by UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt;

. This is the worst outcome for everyone, doesn't it? Yes, it is not

about the renewable heat initiative, if it was Sinn Fein would hang into

old Arlene Foster to account to bringing the cost controls were

missing. It cost ?85,000 of taxpayer money today because of the lack of

cost controls and they would be looking for a public enquiry or

something similar. So it is not about renewable heat it is about

Sinn Fein looking after Sinn Fein 's interests and I hope the public

reflect on the fact we have had ten years of Sinn Fein DUP rule, decade

characterised by scandals, tobaccos and disappointments and if we do go

to the polls but remember that there is the possibility of change. There

was change in America and with Brexit, people do react when they

get angry and people are angry about renewable heat. Poll given was

pretty bullish about their chances in an election and you are a long

way behind them. This surely cuts down on the time you had to give

unionism Altera device. Yama what is different about this cannot compare

to the others like red sky and the social investment fund, people

generally get this, they understand cash for Ash is a real scandal and

the crush of -- the cross about it. They may welcome the opportunity to

commit an vote and if you look at voting patterns in 1998, ten to the

assembly 70%, last year 55%, if anything will encourage people to

come out and vote for change, to change this full record of

incompetence, this must be it. Thank you. Let's hear from the leader of

the SDLP. This is disastrous for all the parties because you have to

quote and face the electorate several months after doing the same

thing. We are not afraid of an election, we look forward to it. But

it has been brought about by Arlene Foster's arrogance and Sinn Fein 's

weakness over the past ten years. Did they not commit stronger today

because they have brought the institutions down and forced her

hand and she did not take it? They had an opportunity to vote for the

public enquiry and didn't take it. If you look at what happened today,

Sinn Fein talk a lot about the ad is in good and equality. They produced

a draft programme for government couple of weeks ago was no mention

of an Irish line would act, nor anti-poverty strategy and now

poverty Bill, but we were told we had to wear that and accepted so

Sinn Fein are now seeing they are annoyed at the way the DUP have

acted but they have aided and abetted them for ten years. I don't

know what they're worried about, we do know today is the will not be a

full public enquiry into the RHI scheme. Those people who should be

afraid of accountability are getting a two-month holiday from a

credibility. I do not understand it in the public don't. Could be a much

longer holiday all-round, Google will wonder about a budget and what

happens next. We still don't have a budget or a final programme for

government, we don't have a plan for Brexit. During this crisis what will

happen is Theresa May will trigger article 50. We will be in the

process of Brexit in the area most affected by it will have no voice.

That is because of the arrogance and weakness of these two parties.

Let's hear from the Alliance party. The Brexit issue is a massive one,

we have Nicola Sturgeon talking about them being the only government

with a plan. We are part of the UK with no government. Worse than that,

when we did have a government it was not one capable of showing

leadership which is why we're standing here today. The reality is

that the DUP have been entirely tone deaf, both of the partners in

government and the anger of public outside these situations. Sinn Fein

are happy to prop up when it suited them because they too were being

arrogant, we were not seeing the proper process is being gone through

with respect to budget controls and everything else. Now we find that

Sinn Fein are obviously getting pushed by their own electorate and

so they have called this four part biblical posturing, not for the

public of Northern Ireland. The public are sick to the back teeth of

the crisis at Stormont. They want good government and to see people

who are less keen to dig responsibility as they are to take

power. And what we have here is not that it is the opposite. That is the

message you have said before and it has not seen the Alliance through to

victory. It has not but this is a different situation because what I

detect that there is real anger, real anger and change things and we

offering them a different alternative. We are willing to take

responsibility and stand up and be accountable. If others were willing

to do the same we would not be in this mess.

Thank you. Quite the hill to climb. We are back later in the programme

with our political editor. For now it is back to you. In a few minutes

we will speak to article commentators about the resignation

of Martin McGuinness and its applications.

In other news - A drunk driver who killed a County Tyrone teenager

has been given an extra year in prison by the Court of Appeal.

18-year-old Enda Dolan was knocked down and killed

His father says the increased jail sentence is not enough.

Enda Dolan was a talented teenager who had just started studying

architecture at Queens University. He was knocked down and killed by a

drunk driver on the 15th of October 2014 as he returned to his halls of

residence. Evidently steward of Grace Park Avenue was sentenced to

see and have years in jail with another three and a half on licence.

The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal 's on the basis that

it was unduly lenient. The court was reminded that on the night of the

killing steward had consumed six pints of beer, for cocktails known

as Eurobonds and the other drinks. It was also suggested he had been

taking drugs before getting behind the wheel. The Court of Appeal

decided to increase the sentence which means it steward. The had --

spend an extra year in prison. Increasing the prison term from the

scene half to a foreigner have used the Lord Chief Justice said nothing

is court can do can turn the clock back. What happened was needless,

senseless and entirely avoidable so Declan Martin said in cases of this

kind deterrent sentences must continue to be imposed. While

welcoming the increase, the boy's father said it should have been

more. Satisfied would be the word, again in my opinion it is not enough

given the crime that he committed. I think it is still a disgrace, I

think the justice system needs to be looked at, I think legislation in

relation to drinking and driving needs to build that. Since Enda

Dolan's death that is something the whole family has to deal with

everyday. Christmas was difficult, there was an empty seat at the table

and there was a lot of tears. Unfortunately that is the way it is.

You must either family celebrations like birthdays and other times of

the year that you have other family gatherings and he is not there. The

dull and family say they will continue the campaign to have

sentences for drunk drivers who kill increased.

A solicitor for a 22-year-old man accused of procuring drugs intended

to cause an abortion has protested about delays

two drugs which are commonly used woman is charged with taking

to bring about a miscarriage or abortion.

The case was adjourned until later this month.

As many as three airlines are said to be looking at

a new Belfast to New York air service.

Today Northern Ireland waved goodbye to its existing link

Our business correspondent Julian O'Neill reports

The last United Airlines New York flight was almost fool with 150

passengers booked to travel. The route is being axed due to its pure

financial performance and after the airline said that the European

Commission indicated a ?9 million rescue package involving Stormont

would break rules around state aid. It is a sad day for us and for me,

it is, I chose to come over and they choose to come at New Year and see

Mum and go home at the last one and say goodbye to your. The

grandchildren are here so it makes it so convenient, instead of flying

into Dublin, waiting the hour for the bus, two hours on the bus etc

etc. This was Northern Ireland only year round long haul flight, and

when the executive has claimed was important to attracting inward

investment by US companies. The service has been running for the

best part of 11 years, but finding a replacement is not proving

straightforward. I understand the airport is presently in negotiations

with up to three airlines with a view to taking on the New York

route. There are several hot leads and we will follow up with that to

get that replacement in but it does take time, you can switch it on

overnight. Airlines do not have available aircraft ready to go so we

will keep talking to those carriers. I understand the low-cost carrier

Norwegian air is one of those taking a look. It might be seeking public

funds before committing to not just a New York service but Boston as

well. A bus driver has been praised

for helping to save a middle-aged man who was

in a distressed state The driver was on an early morning

journey from Londonderry to Dublin Rowland Ward set off an ordinary

express run to Dublin seven on Saturday morning. Within half an

hour, his day took an extraordinary tone on this bridge on 01. There was

a young man working for us and another gentleman in his early 50s.

He looked distressed, this person, and I looked. I stopped the bus, it

was just a reaction and when I got off the bus and looked, he was on

the other side of the ratings towards the Riverside. It was still

dark and every passing moment was critical. The man was in distress on

the side of the bridge and the efforts of the bus driver and Newman

became a mental and physical struggle. I had him by one arm, and

a young fellow had him by the other arm and we were trying to physically

pulled across the railings to try and get him. Then a young fellow

came with a safety harness that he had on the back of his van, and he

put that on the side of the bridge, he leaned over the bridge, lifted

his legs up. The bus driver says that he has been assured that the

man he helped is now in good care, and following his dramatic

intervention, he is now taking this week off work. Back to the main

story, the resignation of Mark McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.

We have been asking people on the streets of Belfast what they think

about what happened today. It is very sad that he has stepped down

but it will probably have a big impact on what this to come for

Arlene Foster and the rest of the country, really. It is another

election. Nothing we can do about it. Will it make any difference the

assembly? Not really. Who knows what is going to happen next? It is

interesting that something is moving, anyway. What we think of the

possibility of another election? Would I like one? Don't know, just

don't know. At least it's sort of start something. I'd be disappointed

if there was another election. I am not sure that it would make any

difference. But if it does, we will have two pass the vote and see what

comes out of it. How do you think the RHI scandal has reflected on the

assembly? It has not reflected well. A lot of people are very cynical of

what is going on. It is time for an election, definitely, we need

change. Do you think it should have come to this? I'm sorry you did. I

don't know. Would it make any difference? I don't know. The last

thing we need now is an election. We need to come together and sort out

the problems we are already trying to deal with. Do you think an

election could make any difference to the assembly? I don't know, but

of all the time and effort that will be spent on it it is not what I

would be spending time and effort on. Just a sample of public opinion

there. Who wins and loses this? I'm not

sure that anybody wins. I reckon action thing could not have let it

go any longer to let this week build-up to some kind of melodrama

would have made them look worse and would not have done Arlene Foster

any good, either. Beyond that, in electoral terms, it would have

damaged things as much as staying on would have done to Sinn Fein. From a

unionist voters' point of view, will the election and possible

resignation make much difference? This will not be an election about

the RHI scandal. Sinn Fein has known about this for over a year

internally. It is also the case that all of these other issues that have

been raised, gay rights, the Bill of Rights, things that had been long

forgotten when the DUP and Sinn Fein were working coherently in

government together over seven months have been known about.

National inverses of an arms that Sinn Fein seems to be getting

nothing out of Stormont, so it is wider than RHI. What it will come

back to is what sort of politicians will, what platform will politicians

be going forward on. I think the effect for Sinn Fein was definitely

that they had to go. There were other things there. Red Sky and

Nama. A list that has been mentioned today. Parra has not been shared,

and the DUP never seemed ready to do that. I don't think that is a

particularly partisan view. The DUP would admit that. It is not a word

that they use easily, in fact rarely, and cumulatively, RHI

definitely playing a part, and the last straw being the DUP cup. Arlene

Foster Sting, is she being seen as a strong lead over by her electorate?

She will be comfortable with Sinn Fein attacking and the language that

Gerry Adams used. That plays very well to the DUP base. It plays well

to the DUP base. Neither of those parties have been comfortable

addressing what has been a huge failure of government on their

watch. They were both partly responsible for this, the DUP much

more culpable. They fail to see this and to stop it. Sinn Fein have known

about this for one year. What has happened in that time and why has

there been no emergency legislation to recoup these costs? That all

falls apart. There will be no inquiry in the short-term and of the

assembly does not come back will there ever be an inquiry? Brother be

an election? It is almost inevitable. Yes, there will be an

election. We have not had much snow so far this winter but that could be

about to change. Cecilia Delie is in the weather studio with -- studio

that although the details. That is the main message this week. It is

going to get much colder during the course of Wednesday. As that cold

air arrives all the way from Canada, it will bring snow showers and

bitterly cold winds which could, in themselves, be a hazard. The hills

catching the worst of the snow, the North and west in particular will

probably see more snow. Stay tuned to the forecast. Warnings have been

issued for strong winds and snow from 6pm on Wednesday. No slow

tonight but there will be some rain for a while. Most of us will escape

the post and ice tonight. In fact, tomorrow is the exception to the

rest of the week. There will be some mild air, and some rain and drizzle

in the morning. But you should not have to scrape your windscreen.

Quite blustery in the morning with a brisk wind along the north coast.

There will be some wet weather, as you can see. Nothing too heavy, but

you will need an umbrella to start the day. It does not last, with a

good chunk of the day brightening up for a time and temperatures in

double figures. During the course of Wednesday it will start to turn

colder with strong winds and driving rain showers through the day, but

those will become increasingly wintry through Wednesday night and

into Thursday. So a reminder, warnings have been issued for strong

winds and snow. Thursday looks to be the worst of the days this week.

Let's go back to Stormont and to Tara Mills. Lots to die just today,

Mark. Any chance of suspension rather than an election -- lots to

digests. As part of the deal that was done in Scotland in 2006, Parra

was taken off the statute book. This present government without do you

use an emergency law to put it back onto the statute book. Government

Celsius indicate they don't intend to do that. They intend to let the

current law take its course. That means an election. What will the key

battles be? You could say every paddle -- every party will be the

loser, they will be going down to one less seat in each constituency

so one, potentially losses all round and the battle lines will be quite

fierce. We have this fierce argument between the main parties over the

RHI scandal and other issues, you can imagine some of the arguments.

And the opposition party saying, these two parties promised a fresh

start. They were going to make everything better. Instead, they

messed things up. All the while, the bills continue to mount up in the

RHI scandal and no sign of any structure of the investigation into

it. That's it from Stormont for this evening. We will have an extended

programme at 10:25pm. For now, we leave you from another day of

uncertainty and drama at Parliament buildings.