Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Jonathan Bell arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye.

Jonathan Bell gives a statement to the media at Stormont

Jonathan Bell has been suspended from the DUP

The email which suspended DUP MLA Jonathan Bell described as "critical" to the Renewable Heating Incentive scandal and called for it to be published, has been released.

Ahead of Monday's special sitting of the Assembly, the former Enterprise Minister called for the January 2016 email addressed to the head of the civil service and from his then permanent secretary Andrew McCormick to be released.

The Department of Economy then released the email. In it Mr McCormick outlines how issues came to his attention in the Renewable Heating Incentive and reviews instigated to investigate potential fraud or abuse of the scheme.

He explains how there had been a spike in applications to the scheme. Six weeks prior to changes in the scheme in November 2015, there had been double the number of applications compared to the first three years of the RHI.

Something he said could not have been expected.

He said: "There were delays in introducing the reduction in entitlement's in the autumn, as there was some initial reluctance to make the necessary legislative changes (any change to the scheme requires the affirmative approval of the Assembly).

"With hindsight, I might have sought a Ministerial Direction at an earlier stage.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close The email from Andrew McCormick. The email from Andrew McCormick. / Facebook

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Whatsapp The email from Andrew McCormick.

"However, the spike in demand prior to the November legislation to tighten tariff controls was beyond reasonable prediction.

"It was only at this stage... that scheme closure became the only realistic option."

Jonathan Bell has claimed his decision to change the scheme was overruled by DUP advisers.

However, First Minister Arlene Foster has said there was no pressure applied from her, or any others in her party to delay restrictions being placed on the scheme or on its eventual closure.

Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, Mrs Foster said: "I have checked and confirmed that no Minister made any such request or took any interest in the decision taken in September 2015. The DUP party officers took no interest in this issue and gave no instructions.

"It is therefore clear that whatever the belief, the DUP did not ask the DETI Minister to extend the scheme."

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. First Minister Arlene Foster arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein addresses media into the Great Hall accompanied by party colleagues at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, Belfast, as First Minister Arlene Foster faced a vote of no confidence in her leadership at the devolved Assembly as the fall out from a botched green energy scheme intensifies PA Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. First Minister Arlene Foster arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. The SDLP group addresses the Press Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and his Sinn Fein party colleagues arrive in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Jonathan Bell arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. First Minister Arlene Foster arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. First Minister Arlene Foster arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Jonathan Bell arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. UUP leader Mike Nesbitt and his party arrive in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and his Sinn Fein party colleagues arrive in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. Press Eye Belfast - Northern Ireland 19th December 2016 Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and his Sinn Fein party colleagues arrive in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Stormont recalled over Renewable Heat Initiative Scheme. First Minister Arlene Foster arrives in the Great Hall before heading into the Assembly Chamber. Picture by Jonathan Porter/Press Eye.

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