Drumcree: DUP's Power to Remove O'Neill as First Minister, Says Lockhart
BBC News NI
Darran Marshall reports for BBC News NI.
A DUP MP, Carla Lockhart, has stated that it is within the Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) power to remove Michelle O'Neill from her position as Northern Ireland's first minister. This comes after recent protests related to the Drumcree parade dispute.
On Friday, the secretary of state banned the Portadown District Lodge from marching down the Garvaghy Road, a decision welcomed by nationalist politicians but criticized by unionists. O'Neill, one of several Sinn Féin politicians, received a letter from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigating her role in these protests.
Lockhart expressed her constituents' anger towards O'Neill, describing her actions as "flagrant" and "thumbing her nose at unionism." She also criticized the chief constable for allowing what she considered lawlessness and the secretary of state for his intervention.
O'Neill has defended her participation in the unnotified protest, stating her pride in standing with the local community against the Orange Order parade. Despite a call from the DUP to resign, O'Neill declared her continued support for the residents.
Lockhart's Position and Calls for Action
Lockhart believes that business as usual at Stormont cannot continue given O'Neill's actions. She urged her party to take action, suggesting they use their power to ensure "profound consequences" for O'Neill. This could potentially lead to her removal from the first minister's position if the deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, were to quit.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson agreed with Lockhart that options exist but stopped short of threatening to collapse the executive. He encouraged the chief constable to be transparent about perceived threats during the protests.