DUP leader Gavin Robinson 'hopes' Carla Lockhart will not quit the party over her demand to oust Michelle O'Neill

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 October 2026.

Michelle O'Neill, pictured in September, was blocked from attending a National Economic Council meeting in Glasgow with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Friday.

Lockhart, the Upper Bann MP, told party colleagues she will "take my own course" if O'Neill is not removed as First Minister, and her resignation from the DUP is now reportedly expected. Robinson confirmed the DUP's response falls short of her demand — deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will cease joint engagements with O'Neill but will not withdraw from her role entirely.

O'Neill and Little-Pengelly were blocked from attending a National Economic Council meeting in Glasgow with Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Friday.

Robinson says he blocked O'Neill from meeting Irish president Catherine Connolly three weeks ago, calling the First Minister's Garvaghy Road protest "utter recklessness and law breaking".

Assembly members Diane Forsythe and Maurice Bradley have backed Lockhart's push, with Bradley noting removing O'Neill "would not, in itself, require the Assembly to collapse".

Evening Standard‘I don’t want to see her go’ – Robinson hopes Lockhart will not quit DUP BBC News - UKDUP leader 'hopes' Carla Lockhart will not leave party Herts Advertiser‘I don’t want to see her go’ – Robinson hopes Lockhart will not quit DUP - Herts Advertiser Belfast TelegraphCarla Lockhart set to quit DUP and leave party with just four MPs - Belfast Telegraph Belfast News LetterCarla Lockhart ready to quit the DUP - after Gavin Robinson stops short of her demand to remove Michelle O'Neill as First Minister - Belfast News Letter Yahoo News UKCarla Lockhart resigns as party officer in move which could see her leave DUP

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