DUP MP Lockhart threatens own course over O'Neill

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 15:25 · Archive

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned she will take her 'own course' if the DUP does not act to remove Michelle O'Neill as First Minister.

Carla Lockhart, the Upper Bann MP, has warned the DUP she will take her 'own course' if the party does not remove Michelle O'Neill as First Minister. In a letter posted on Facebook, Lockhart accused the DUP of 'gaslighting' those who had trusted it and said there was 'only one credible option' following the Drumcree controversy. She rejected any compromise or graduated response.

Lockhart said she had resigned from an office-bearing role within the DUP 'on a matter of principle' and insisted she bore no personal animosity towards party leader Gavin Robinson. She rejected suggestions she was acting on behalf of people outside the party, writing: 'Having been in front line politics for 20 years this year and as a woman in public life, I make my own decisions. There is no one, much less any man, who pulls my strings.'

She said the party had been her political home throughout her career but claimed attempts to raise her concerns internally had been 'shouted down or dismissed'. Lockhart did not explicitly say whether taking her own course would mean leaving the DUP, though such a move has been speculated on in recent weeks. She made clear she had no ambition to lead the party.

How it is being reported

• ‘Only credible option is to remove First Minister from office’: Carla Lockhart warns she will take her ‘own course’ if DUP tries to ‘gaslight’ votersBelfast Telegraph · 29 Oct, 15:03
• Carla Lockhart warns DUP she will take her 'own course' over Michelle O'Neill"There is no one, much less any man, who pulls my strings," the Upper Bann MP said as she accused her party of “gaslighting” votersBelfast Live · 29 Oct, 14:57
• ‘We can’t gaslight those who have trusted us’: Carla Lockhart’s ultimatum to DUP as she threatens to take her ‘own course’Belfast Telegraph · 29 Oct, 12:05

In this story: Carla Lockhart · Michelle O'Neill · DUP · Gavin Robinson · Upper Bann

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