Nelson’s unsubstantiated attack on Beeb over RHI suggests he’s still smarting about its Red Sky coverage

I READ with disappointment the latest column from Nelson McCausland (Comment, December 28) concerning the coverage of the RHI scandal by the BBC.

It reminded me of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery tale The Moving Finger, in which Miss Marple explains to us the power of accusation in a small village via the simplistic proverb, ‘Where there is smoke, there is fire’.

Whisper somebody is guilty and they become guilty — no ash without cash.

Mr McCausland (correctly) addresses the innuendo levelled at his own party leader, but then pulls the carpet out from under his own feet with his own innuendo. The idea that the BBC was at the forefront is trotted out without any attempt at substantiation; RHI was covered by multiple outlets daily.

With multiple outlets, the BBC’s volume of coverage is obviously augmented. Should they be blamed for that? Of course, we all remember which media outlet broke the news about the Red Sky debacle. It was the BBC.

The record of government in Northern Ireland is lamentable. The Civil Service is understaffed, depleted and (we understand) does not operate at the level of competence as it does in Britain.

Our Assembly awards itself pay rises while not functioning.

I follow the coverage of the inquiry, chaired by Sir Patrick Coghlin. It is refreshing to have such a great and impartial insight into the debacle. Let’s hope his conclusions bring true reform.

Goodness knows, we need that.