Carla Lockhart says DUP's action against Michelle O'Neill 'falls far short' and will set out her future 'early next week'

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart will announce her decision on whether to remain in the DUP "early next week", having declared the party's partial action against Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill "falls far short" of what is needed. Lockhart wants deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly pulled from her Stormont role entirely — a move that would automatically eject O'Neill — but the DUP has only suspended joint engagements instead. Her resignation is reportedly expected within "days, if not hours".

O'Neill is under police investigation for taking part in an unnotified protest that blocked an Orange Order parade on Portadown's Garvaghy Road last month.

Lockhart warned colleagues she will not be party to any attempt to "carve out some clever half-way house" and "gaslight those who have trusted us".

A Lockhart departure would leave the DUP with just four MPs, with assembly members Diane Forsythe and Maurice Bradley backing her demand to remove O'Neill from office.