The Newshound

Carla Lockhart says unionists are 'ahead of the DUP' on Michelle O'Neill's 'flagrant law breaking' after quitting over Drumcree

Carla Lockhart, 41, who quoted Thatcher before a loyalist rally crowd of 15,000 ahead of her resignation from the DUP.
Carla Lockhart, 41, who quoted Thatcher before a loyalist rally crowd of 15,000 ahead of her resignation from the DUP.
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Féin vice president, is under police investigation over the Garvaghy Road counter-demonstration that triggered Lockhart's resignation.
Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Féin vice president, is under police investigation over the Garvaghy Road counter-demonstration that triggered Lockhart's resignation.

Carla Lockhart, the DUP's only female MP, quit the party on Monday after it refused to force Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill from the joint First Minister's office over the Drumcree parade row. The Upper Bann MP told UTV the decision was "particularly painful" after 20 years, but said she could not stay once the promised "profound consequences" for O'Neill failed to materialise. She will now sit as an independent unionist at Westminster, leaving the DUP with just four MPs.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson says the disagreement was over strategy, not sentiment — but his party stripped Lockhart's photo from its website within minutes of her resignation letter going online.

The DUP has instead blocked O'Neill from joint official engagements, including an economic summit involving Andy Burnham — stopping well short of the removal Lockhart demanded.

TUV leader Jim Allister has left the door open to working closely with Lockhart, deepening fears that unionism now splinters into five distinct groupings on the Commons benches.

MoreFinancial TimesNorthern Ireland’s biggest pro-UK party damaged by Drumcree parade falloutEvening StandardLeaving DUP was a particularly painful and difficult decision – LockhartBBC News - UKCarla Lockhart departure presents massive challenge for DUP and unionismBBC News - UKDUP leader Gavin Robinson 'very sorry' Carla Lockhart has quit the partyGB NewsCarla Lockhart resigns: DUP civil war erupts as MP quits over Orange Order parade rowIrish TimesUnionism splinters again as departure of DUP’s Carla Lockhart from party deals a blowIrish IndependentThe woman who walked away: Carla Lockhart’s journey from DUP darling to disruptor
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →