MP Carla Lockhart quits DUP in Drumcree row
Summary
Carla Lockhart has left the Democratic Unionist Party over its response to the Drumcree parading dispute. The Upper Bann MP will continue in the UK House of Commons as an independent unionist after the DUP leadership declined to follow her call to remove First Minister Michelle O’Neill from the Northern Ireland Executive.Key Facts
- Lockhart said she was leaving the DUP on a point of principle.
- She had urged the DUP to withdraw its deputy first minister, a move she said would force O’Neill from the joint office.
- The dispute followed protests on Garvaghy Road that blocked an Orange Order parade in Portadown, County Armagh.
- O’Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures have been interviewed by police investigating the demonstrations.
- The DUP said it would block official engagements involving O’Neill in response to the dispute.
- Lockhart said she would keep representing Upper Bann in the House of Commons as an independent unionist.
- The article reports that Lockhart’s departure leaves the DUP with four MPs.
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