North braces for bitter election as Martin McGuinness quits over Arlene Foster’s handling of ‘Cash for Ash’ controversy

The dramatic resignation of Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister yesterday has thrown the North’s power-sharing administration into chaos.

Effectively announcing his departure from front-line politics, Mr McGuinness, who has been severely ill in recent months, said he was resigning with “deep regret and reluctance”.

Appearing frail and in weakened voice, the 66-year-old insisted his health was not the reason for his resignation, claiming it was caused by the failure of First Minister Arlene Foster to stand aside to allow an investigation into so-called ‘Cash for Ash’ scandal. “My health is absolutely nothing to do with this whatsoever,” he said.