Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has accused Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of blocking her from attending an economic summit in Glasgow, where she was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
O'Neill, who is also the vice-president of Sinn Féin, said the decision by Little-Pengelly, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister, means Northern Ireland will not be represented at the National Economic Council meeting. The summit was scheduled to include other devolved leaders.
This political standoff follows unionist anger over Sinn Féin's alleged involvement in protests that prevented a contentious Orange Order march from proceeding along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. O'Neill described Little-Pengelly's action as a "reckless and irresponsible stunt" driven by the DUP's "internal pressures and electoral problems."
The controversy unfolds as the DUP's ruling committee was set to meet to discuss its response to the situation. Sources indicated that the party officers would consider withdrawing Little-Pengelly or ceasing official engagements with O'Neill.
O'Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures have reportedly been interviewed by police investigating the demonstrations in Portadown. Unionists have accused the party of unlawful actions, but O'Neill defended her involvement, stating it was the "right thing to do."
The National Economic Council was revived by the Prime Minister to foster collaboration among the UK's nations and regions. "This is a reactive stunt, driven by the DUP's own internal pressures and electoral problems," O'Neill stated in a social media post.
The DUP has faced internal pressure regarding its response to the Drumcree dispute. DUP MP Carla Lockhart recently resigned from the party's officer board, citing dissatisfaction with leader Gavin Robinson's decision not to remove Little-Pengelly. Other party members, including assembly member Diane Forsythe, have supported Lockhart's calls for O'Neill's removal from office, advocating for an immediate halt to joint Executive Office engagements as a minimum measure.
Maurice Bradley, another DUP assembly member, argued that removing O'Neill would not necessarily lead to the collapse of the Assembly. He expressed concern over the "attitude displayed by senior Sinn Féin representatives" and their perceived "arrogance and defiance."
Recent court proceedings heard intelligence suggesting dissident republicans may have planned gun attacks on police who facilitated the parade. Bradley emphasized that "no one is above the law" and called for party unity in supporting Lockhart.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson stated he was "sorry" to see Lockhart resign but affirmed her continued role within the party. He questioned the necessity of penalizing the entire region for the actions of a few, suggesting that "those who broke the law" should be held accountable. Robinson added that the party had "considered all options and keep all options on the table."