Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson has stated he is "very sorry" that MP Carla Lockhart has quit the party. Lockhart left the DUP on Monday, citing the party's response to the Drumcree parading dispute as the reason for her resignation.
Robinson indicated he would not criticize Lockhart and expressed hope for continued collaboration. He clarified that the disagreement between Lockhart and the party leadership was over strategy rather than sentiment. Lockhart had advocated for the DUP to withdraw the deputy first minister from Stormont's devolved government, a move Robinson stopped short of.
The dispute arises from the fallout of recent events, including police interviews with Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures concerning the Garvaghy Road demonstrations. Unionists have accused Sinn Féin of unlawful actions.
In response, the DUP had announced it would block official engagements involving O'Neill. However, Robinson emphasized the party's view that O'Neill herself should face consequences for her actions, not the broader population of Northern Ireland. He stressed the need for a functioning government and budget discussions to continue.
Robinson suggested that the government has a role to play in establishing a sanctions regime to penalize those who violate their pledge of office. The DUP leader indicated that important discussions regarding the budget and government functionality are expected to resume with the secretary of state on Thursday.