DUP Leader Hopes Defiant Member Will Not Leave Party Amid Political Dispute

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson has expressed a hope that Carla Lockhart will not leave the party, amid a dispute over the DUP's response to Sinn Féin's role in a controversial Orange Order march.

Lockhart has called for First Minister Michelle O'Neill to be removed from office, suggesting that Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly should resign to force this action. However, the DUP confirmed on Thursday that Little-Pengelly will not engage in joint engagements with O'Neill, nor will permission be granted for O'Neill to act unilaterally.

Robinson stated on Thursday that "We all share the same view that there needs to be political sanctions for the behaviour of Michelle O'Neill." He added that he "hopes" Lockhart will not depart the party. The DUP's decision for its MLAs to cease engagement with the First and Deputy First Ministers was described as "unanimous" by Robinson following a meeting of the party's ruling officer committee.

The political friction stems from unionist anger over Sinn Féin's involvement in protests that prevented a contentious Orange Order march in Portadown from proceeding along the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road.

Lockhart had previously communicated to party colleagues that she would "take her own course" if O'Neill was not removed as First Minister. Earlier in the week, Lockhart stepped down from the party's officer board, citing Robinson's refusal to withdraw Little-Pengelly to compel O'Neill's removal from their joint Stormont office. Other DUP representatives, including assembly member Diane Forsythe, have publicly supported Lockhart's stance. Maurice Bradley MLA also commented that removing O'Neill "would not, in itself, require the Assembly to collapse."

Reports from the Belfast Telegraph suggest Lockhart is expected to resign from the DUP, potentially leaving the party with only four Members of Parliament.

Meanwhile, other political parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly have voiced criticism of the DUP's actions. Chris Hazard of Sinn Féin characterized the DUP's move as "pathetic" and "damaging," asserting it harms local businesses and public services rather than Michelle O'Neill or Sinn Féin. Hazard also stated that Northern Ireland's representation at the National Economic Council was "sacrificed" due to the DUP's actions.

Alliance Party MLA Kate Nicholl described Northern Ireland's absence from the National Economic Council meeting as "disappointing" and "baffling." Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister criticized the DUP's response as "beyond pathetic" and accused the party of prioritizing "clinging to office" over principle.

Jon Burrows, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, told BBC's Evening Extra programme that the situation was a "political fudge" that was "all choreography and no consequences," predicting it might further galvanize Sinn Féin electorally. The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole cautioned that "plunging this place into more political chaos is not a sensible strategic move for unionism."