Northern Ireland’s Attorney General John Larkin has said he could bring a case against the Department of the Economy over the RHI scheme, the BBC reports.

He made the comments as lawyers for the Renewable Heat Association of Northern Ireland (RHANI) prepare to challenge the legality of new regulations, saying that these were introduced without being discussed and agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive.

However, Mr Larkin told the High Court: “The 2012 regulations never came before the Executive to be discussed and agreed. So the point that is made against the 2017 regulations it seems to me can equally be made against the 2012 regulations.”

He added: “My primary responsibility is as guardian of the rule of law.

“If it’s an issue about public money and a claim being made against the government founded on the 2012 regulations, I may be the only person able to put a hand up.”