http://news.sky.com/story/n-ireland-...ement-10702173

The devolved assembly at Stormont had been recalled from Christmas recess over what opposition parties have described as "the biggest public finance scandal since devolution".

I think Arlene Foster's days as FM of NI are numbered.

There was actually some valid criticism of the lack of safeguards built into this scheme which left it open to abuse, e.g. some beneficiaries heating empty premises to gain subsidy funding which is hardly sustainable.

I give credit to the UUP, SDLP, Alliance and others for forming a credible opposition to the ruling DUP/Sinn Fein executive.

Links:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-38363206

http://www.itv.com/news/utv/update/2...nfidence-vote/

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-35304742.html

It would be good for democracy if we could credit those parties but it seems that they have merely followed the media's lead here, specifically Stephen Nolan.

The good Mr Nolan might have indeed starting things off but the criticisms in Stormont by Naomi Long and Mike Nesbitt were particularly stinging. The real damning thing here was that the whistleblower emails (plural) were ignored/deleted and thus began the cover up which is never a good way to proceed as Richard Nixon found out.

And does that not highlight the important role of the media of holding the government of the day to account? The important thing is that politicians from natiinalist, unionist and other parties united on this issue, if SF had shown the same integrity, then the FM's position would surely have been untenable.

Who would replace her? Surely Martin McGuinness and anyone from Sinn Fein is a no go?

Whoever the DUP choose as their new leader.

Martin mcguinness has already served in the assembly as part of the power sharing agreement

I find it hard to believe that Foster, a politician who I respected for her apparent strength and efficiency while opposing her politics, was intimidated by a no mark like Jonathan Bell. Very strange.

But then it seems she wasn't as efficient as she seemed, so maybe she did feel bulied by him. Time may tell.

I agree with most of this.
Not so sure about the SF bit though. If they had supported the vote against Foster it still wouldn't have made any difference as the DUP have a majority of Unionist seats. It would have caused a crisis in government for no immediate gain. SF say they have a motion to bring before the Assembly in January on this issue and it will be interesting to see what, if anything, transpires from that.