TUV North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston has today tabled the following motion in the Assembly business office:
That this Assembly notes the inconsistencies in the accounts of the First Minister in relation to what she and her party knew and did in relation to the Michael McMonagle scandal, condemns the First Minister and Economy Minister for their attacks on the British Heart Foundation, repudiates the Economy Minister’s groundless claim that warning a charity about a potential police investigation into Michael McMonagle would have prejudiced the investigation and accordingly has no confidence in the said Ministers and therefore calls for them to resign.
Commenting Mr Gaston said:
“With every day which passes, sometimes it seems every hour, there are new revelations which tie Sinn Fein as an organisation and Ms O’Neill particularly more closely to the Michael McMonagle scandal.
“Her disgraceful efforts to pam the scandal off unto the British Heat Foundation by suggesting they were negligent – something of which her colleague the Economy Minister is also guilty – and preposterous attempt to claim that she did not see Michael McMonagle at an event at Stormont have left her position as First Minister utterly untenable. Ms O’Neill’s claims about not noticing McMonagle are even less credible now we know that she had personally employed him.
“Do others agree? If so, they will sign my motion.
“These issues now raise questions not just for Sinn Fein but for those who partner them in government. Are they content to continue to remain in an Executive headed by such an individual?
“Don’t forget that there are interesting precedents.
“Peter Robinson stepped aside when scandal swirled around him.
“Arlene now Baroness Foster was forced from office over RHI when the deputy First Minister resigned.
“Is the First Minister going to step aside while these issues are investigated?
“If she isn’t are the DUP content to allow her to remain in office?
“I remind the DUP that it is in their hands to remove her.
“If Ms O’Neill won’t step aside then the deputy First Minister, Ms Pengelly. is obliged to force her from office by resigning.”