The latest revelations over the controversial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in Northern Ireland have been described as "shocking" by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP).

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said the revelations on the BBC's Nolan Show plunge the Executive into further disrepute.

Mr Nesbitt said: "This calls into question Arlene Foster's public statements so far that no advice or recommendations were brought regarding the RHI scheme. If she didn't receive Andrew McCormick's advice to close down the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), who did?

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"Arlene Foster had just become Finance Minister when Permanent Secretary McCormick was expressing concerns about the scandalous RHI scheme. It would be appropriate for the Finance Minister to be made aware of a scheme with such significant financial implications for the country. If Andrew McCormick was expressing such concerns it would have been to Jonathan Bell, Arlene Foster's colleague and successor as Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment. Are we to believe that DUP Ministers don't talk to each other?"

Mr Nesbitt said more questions have been raised and said the Executive needs to rip up their agenda for their meeting and put the RHI scandal at the top of their list.

He continued: "The Public Accounts Committee and the Northern Ireland Audit Office will have to reshape their thinking. And I will be speaking to Jim Nicholson MEP who has already expressed concern this morning that this scheme has gone against state aid rules and raises the spectre of EU infraction and potential fines that could take this scandal to a whole new level."

(CD/LM)