Sinn Féin ministers face no-confidence vote over Drumcree dispute

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 12 Oct, 19:57 · Archive

Four Sinn Féin ministers face a no-confidence vote over their handling of a dispute involving an Orange Order march.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has begun debating no-confidence motions against First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Liz Kimmins, John O'Dowd and Caoimhe Archibald. The motions were tabled after receiving backing from unionist parties last week and relate to the ministers' handling of a major political row over a planned Orange Order march in Portadown, County Armagh.

O'Neill and other senior Sinn Féin politicians have been heavily criticised by unionists for joining protests which blocked the parade from passing along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road. The First Minister dismissed the no-confidence motions as 'pointless' and again defended her involvement during the debate, describing the planned Orange Order march as 'triumphalist and sectarian'. Police are investigating the demonstrations in a 'large-scale' criminal inquiry.

Motions of no-confidence in the assembly cannot automatically force a minister from office and require cross-community support from a majority of both unionist and nationalist MLAs to succeed. The attempt to oust the four ministers will therefore fail as such support is not available.

During the debate, Traditional Unionist Voice member Timothy Gaston, who tabled the motions, described O'Neill as the 'first minister of lawlessness' who 'doesn't want an Orangeman about the place'. Sinn Féin figures used the debate to accuse unionist politicians of being sexist and racist. O'Neill said unionist parties 'have never accepted' a republican First Minister.

How it is being reported

• Sinn Fein ministers use debate on Drumcree to accuse unionists of being sexist and racist as First Minister declares: 'This is not 1690'Senior Sinn Fein figures have accused unionist politicians of being both sexist and racist during a debate about the Drumcree dispute.News Letter · 12 Oct, 19:07
• Michelle O’Neill says unionist parties ‘have never accepted republican FM’ while UUP leader highlights ‘moral difference’ as Stormont debate under wayScroll down to read our live coverage of the Drumcree disputeBelfast Telegraph · 12 Oct, 17:30
• Michelle O’Neill says unionist parties ‘have never accepted Irish republican as First Minister’ as Stormont debate underway ahead of vote of no confidenceScroll down to read our live coverage of the Drumcree disputeBelfast Telegraph · 12 Oct, 17:30
• Independent MLA says public would be ‘disgusted’ by Stormont debate ahead of Michelle O’Neill vote while Speaker issues ‘stop swearing’ pleaScroll down to read our live coverage of the Drumcree disputeBelfast Telegraph · 12 Oct, 17:30
• Sinn Féin ministers facing no-confidence vote after Drumcree disputeThe motion against Michelle O'Neill and three other Sinn Féin ministers will be debated after receiving the backing of unionist parties last week.BBC Northern Ireland · 12 Oct, 09:35

In this story: Michelle O'Neill · Sinn Féin · Orange Order · Portadown · Garvaghy Road · Northern Ireland Assembly · Timothy Gaston · Traditional Unionist Voice

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