DUP MP refuses to express confidence in party leader

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 11:33 · Archive

Carla Lockhart has declined to express confidence in DUP leader Gavin Robinson as she demanded political consequences for First Minister Michelle O'Neill over the Garvaghy Road protests. When asked directly whether she had confidence in her party leader on BBC Radio Ulster, she replied: "I have confidence that the unionist people want action."

Lockhart said unionists were angry over O'Neill's attendance at protests against the proposed Orange Order parade along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. O'Neill and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald attended police interviews as part of an investigation into the demonstrations. "Unionism wants to see Michelle O'Neill punished for her actions over the last number of weeks, and I will continue to make that point," Lockhart said.

Her remarks follow Robinson's insistence earlier in the week that there was no rift between him and Lockhart over the fallout from the dispute. Lockhart argued the DUP had the ability to remove O'Neill while allowing other ministers to remain in office, though she stopped short of directly answering whether she was urging her party to collapse the Executive.

How it is being reported

• Carla Lockhart declines to express confidence in DUP leader Gavin Robinson“Unionism wants to see Michelle O’Neill punished for her actions over the last number of weeks, and I will continue to make that point,” she saidBelfast Live · 22 Oct, 11:12
• Carla Lockhart refuses to rule out leaving DUP and stays silent on confidence in Gavin RobinsonBelfast Telegraph · 22 Oct, 10:55

In this story: Carla Lockhart · Gavin Robinson · Michelle O'Neill · DUP · Sinn Féin · Portadown

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