Elections likely as NI Deputy First Minister McGuinness resigns in protest

Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is on the brink of collapse following the resignation of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on Monday, in protest over the conduct of First Minister Arlene Foster and her Democratic Unionist Party.

Foster had faced widespread criticism for refusing to stand down and allow a full enquiry into her actions relating to the botched Renewable Heating Incentive.

McGuinness's decision becomes effective at 1700 GMT, and comes after 10 years in the position in which his nationalist Sinn Fein party has shared power with polar opposites DUP.

"The DUP leader has a clear conflict of interest," McGuinness's resignation letter read. "She was the Minister responsible for the RHI scheme at its inception. No cost controls were put in place and warnings were ignored."

"The refusal of Arlene Foster to recognise the public anger or to exhibit any humility in the context of the RHI scandal is indicative of a deep seated arrogance which is inflicting enormous damage on the Executive, the Assembly and the entire body politic."

Under the peace agreements set up by both nationalist and unionist sides, the First and Deputy First Ministers have equal powers, but a resignation from either will trigger a collapse of the coalition government.

A period of seven days will now begin in which the parties can come up with a resolution to the issue, or there will be new elections to the Stormont Assembly.

As well as concerns related to the RHI scheme, in which an estimated £400m of taxpayer money was overused, McGuinness also cited concerns that the British government had "undermined" the peace process in NI.

"Successive British governments have undermined the process of change by refusing to honour agreements, refusing to resolve the issues of the past while imposing austerity and Brexit against the best interests of people here," he added.