Second DUP politician joins Carla Lockhart's call for Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill to be removed as Stormont First Minister

From the Newshound archive · first published 27 October 2026 · last updated 28 October 2026.

Michelle O'Neill, whose removal as Stormont First Minister is being demanded by two DUP assembly members after she attended protests that blocked an Orange Order parade last month.

DUP assembly member Diane Forsythe has broken with party leader Gavin Robinson, publicly backing calls to withdraw deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the Stormont Executive — a move that would automatically trigger Michelle O'Neill's removal from the joint office and effectively collapse the devolved administration in Belfast.

The row stems from O'Neill's attendance at Garvaghy Road protests last month that blocked an Orange Order parade, after which she and other Sinn Féin figures were questioned by police investigating potential breaches of a Parades Commission ruling.

Robinson argues pulling Little-Pengelly out would "damage unionism" — but Lockhart has already resigned as a DUP party officer over his refusal to act, with thousands backing her at a Portadown rally.

Sinn Féin's Stormont Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has dismissed the pressure flatly, saying: 'Michelle O'Neill is going nowhere.'

Evening StandardDUP MLA joins calls for removal of Michelle O’Neill as Stormont First Minister BBC News - PoliticsDUP MLA joins Carla Lockhart's calls for First Minister removal Irish TimesSecond DUP politician calls for collapse of Stormont to force Michelle O’Neill out The Impartial ReporterDUP MLA accuses Michelle O’Neill of ‘absolute contempt’Belfast News LetterDUP's Diane Forsythe backs MP's call for Michelle O'Neill to be 'removed from office' - and for Emma Little Pengelly to block official engagements - Belfast News Letter Belfast LiveDUP MLA joins calls for removal of Michelle O’Neill as First Minister

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