Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Carla Lockhart has resigned from the party over disagreements about its response to the renewed Drumcree parading dispute in Northern Ireland.
Lockhart, who represents Upper Bann, said she was leaving the party on a point of principle and would continue representing her constituency in the UK House of Commons as an independent unionist.
According to “BBC News“, her departure followed a disagreement with the DUP leadership over its refusal to remove Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the Northern Ireland Executive. Such a move would also have forced First Minister Michelle O’Neill out of their jointly held office.
Disagreement over response to Sinn Féin
The dispute centres on demonstrations along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, where an Orange Order parade was blocked from passing through the mainly nationalist area.
O’Neill and several other senior Sinn Féin figures have been interviewed by police investigating the demonstrations. Unionists have criticised their involvement in the protests.
Lockhart had called on the DUP to withdraw Little-Pengelly from the Executive, arguing that stronger action was needed against O’Neill’s participation in the demonstrations.
The party instead announced restrictions on official engagements involving O’Neill, stopping short of withdrawing from the power-sharing arrangement.
In her resignation letter, Lockhart said the party’s response had fallen short of the consequences she believed were necessary. She also cited concerns over the implementation of the Irish Sea border.
DUP leadership responds
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he was sorry about Lockhart’s departure but maintained that the disagreement was over the course of action rather than the party’s position on the controversy.
In a statement reported by “RTÉ”, the DUP said it regretted her decision and thanked her for her service to the party and the people of Upper Bann.
The party added that its disagreement with Lockhart concerned the approach it believed would secure accountability and best serve Northern Ireland.
Lockhart’s departure leaves the DUP with fewer MPs in the House of Commons and highlights divisions within unionism over how to respond to the Drumcree dispute.
