DUP MP Carla Lockhart quits over Drumcree parade dispute

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 22:27 · Archive

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has resigned from the DUP and will sit as an independent unionist, citing a disagreement over the party's response to First Minister Michelle O'Neill's involvement in a protest against an Orange Order parade.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has resigned from the DUP over its handling of a dispute involving First Minister Michelle O'Neill and an Orange Order Drumcree parade in Portadown. Ms Lockhart, 41, will now sit as an independent unionist in the House of Commons.

Ms Lockhart had called on the DUP to withdraw deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from office, a move that would automatically remove Ms O'Neill from her role as co-leader of Stormont. She believed Ms O'Neill could no longer serve as First Minister after participating in a protest against the Orange Order parade on the Garvaghy Road in September. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating several Sinn Féin officials, including Ms O'Neill, over their involvement in the counter-demonstration. Ms O'Neill has said she stands by her decision to support the residents of the Garvaghy Road.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson stopped short of following Ms Lockhart's call. Instead, the party announced on Thursday that Ms Little-Pengelly would no longer participate in joint engagements with Ms O'Neill and would not give permission for Ms O'Neill to fulfil engagements on her own in the role of First Minister.

Ms Lockhart announced her resignation from the party on Monday evening, posting her letter to party leader Gavin Robinson on social media. In her resignation letter, she said: 'I cannot stand idly by whilst Sinn Féin wilfully ignores the rule of law and the promised profound consequences fail to materialise.' She described the decision as 'a sad day and a deeply personal' one.

In a television interview on Tuesday, Ms Lockhart said leaving the DUP was 'a particularly painful and difficult decision' made after reflection. She said she had spent 20 years as an elected representative for the party, describing it as her 'political home'. She contended that the unionist people are 'ahead of the DUP' on the issue and that there is 'a flame lit within unionism' over Ms O'Neill's actions.

How it is being reported

• Leaving DUP was a particularly painful and difficult decision – LockhartThe Upper Bann MP insisted it was on a point of principle, after the DUP ‘didn’t follow through’ with ‘profound consequences’ for Michelle O’Neill.Evening Standard · 3 Nov, 18:00
• What next for the DUP following Carla Lockhart's resignation?Lockhart said she was leaving the party on a "point of principle" and would continue as an independent unionist MP.BBC Politics · 3 Nov, 16:06
• Lockhart quits DUP after clash with leadership over response to Drumcree disputeThe Upper Bann MP will sit as an independent unionist in the House of Commons.Evening Standard · 2 Nov, 18:19
• DUP civil war erupts as MP quits over Orange Order parade rowUpper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has resigned the Democratic Unionist Party whip amid an internal row over the Drumcree parade. Ms Lockhart, 41, will now sit as an independent Unionist in the House of Commons. In a 474-word resignation letter, Ms Lockhart said she was "leaving on a point of principle", adding: "This is a sad day and a deeply personal decision." TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Our Standards: The GB News Editorial CharterGB News · 2 Nov, 17:56

In this story: Carla Lockhart · Democratic Unionist Party · Michelle O'Neill · Gavin Robinson · Sinn Féin · Orange Order · Upper Bann · Portadown

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log