DUP MP Calls for "Profound Consequences" for First Minister O'Neill Over Protest Stance

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Member of Parliament Carla Lockhart has declared that the unionist community is experiencing significant anger over First Minister Michelle O'Neill's involvement in protests and has called for "profound consequences." Lockhart stated that the DUP possesses the power to remove O'Neill from her position and that the current power-sharing arrangement at Stormont cannot continue as "business as usual."

Speaking outside Drumcree Church, Lockhart expressed the frustration of her constituents, directing anger not only at the police chief and the secretary of state but most intensely at O'Neill. Lockhart accused O'Neill of "breaking the law flagrantly on the Garvaghy Road" and showing "disregard and disdain for a large section of this community."

Police had previously warned participants in the unnotified protest that they could face arrest. O'Neill has defended her actions, asserting she was standing in solidarity with the local community against an Orange Order parade. She has previously dismissed calls from the DUP for her resignation, stating she was "proud" to stand with the residents and would continue to do so.

Lockhart emphasized that continuing to engage with someone demonstrating such a blatant disregard for a significant portion of the community is untenable. "You can not continue to engage with someone who is so blatant in her disregard and disdain for a large section of this community," she said. "Very clearly it cannot be business as usual at Stormont."

Lockhart suggested that her party must take action, stating, "People want to see consequences, and we have said very clearly, profound consequence, and therefore we should use whatever is in our armoury to ensure that Michelle O'Neill... is dealt with in the appropriate way."

While the DUP leaders, Gavin Robinson and Emma Little-Pengelly, have indicated they do not intend to collapse the power-sharing institutions, Lockhart indicated that removing O'Neill from the first minister's position remains an option. "There is lots of options on the table with regards to Michelle O'Neill and her continued position, and we have it within our gift to ensure that she is actually removed from that position," she stated. "So it is time for the anger to be seen in the politics and for profound consequences to follow."

Lockhart highlighted the sentiment within the unionist and loyalist communities, describing the anger towards a first minister who "claims she is the first minister for all, for thumbing her nose, laughing on the Garvaghy Road last night at this community, who have stood lawfully."

On Saturday, a High Court judge deferred a legal appeal by Orangemen challenging the secretary of state's decision on the Drumcree parade until Monday, deeming it not an emergency case. Lockhart mentioned that 35 Orangemen from Portadown District Lodge had "stood lawfully" for the past two weeks on Drumcree hill. She stated that the parade holds personal significance for her and her constituents in Upper Bann, underscoring her commitment to representing their views within the party.