Breaking Carla Lockhart resigns from DUP after Drumcree dispute

Updated / Monday, 2 Nov 2026 17:53 Speculation had been mounting that Carla Lockhart was poised to quit due to the party's decision not to collapse the power-sharing administration in Belfast Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has announced she has resigned from the DUP over its handling of the fallout from the Drumcree parading dispute, and is to sit as an independent unionist in the House of Commons.

Carla Lockhart's resignation was widely expected after a clash with the DUP leadership over its failure to remove Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill from her role as First Minister. Ms Lockhart believes Ms O'Neill can no longer serve as First Minister due to her participation in a protest the PSNI deemed unlawful against an Orange Order Drumcree parade in Portadown last month.

Ms O'Neill and several of her party colleagues are being investigated by police for taking part in the protest on the Garvaghy Road that was staged to prevent the parade proceeding through the predominantly nationalist area. The MP had called on her party to withdraw its deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from her office - a move that would automatically force Ms O'Neill from her role.

The DUP stopped short of pulling Ms Little-Pengelly out of her role but on Thursday last week announced she would no longer participate in joint engagements with Ms O'Neill. Ms Little-Pengelly will also not be giving permission for Ms O'Neill to fulfil engagements on her own in the role of First Minister.

Ms Lockhart posted a copy of her resignation to DUP leader Gavin Robinson on social media on Monday evening. We need your consent to load this facebook-post content We use facebook-post to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.

Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences "It is with deep regret that resign from the DUP Parliamentary group and my membership of the party with immediate effect," she wrote. "I will continue to serve Upper Bann as an independent unionist MP and will copy this letter to the Speaker accordingly.

The DUP has been my political home for more than two decades. This is a painful decision, reached after much reflection. "My letter of 29 October set out my position and the steps I believed necessary.

The party's response has fallen far short of the profound consequences promised. Alongside my concerns over the implementation of the Irish Sea border, this has left me unable, in all conscience, to continue within the party. "I must remain true to my principles and the trust those who elected me have placed in me.

I appreciate the cordial manner in which you have approached our disagreements. "None of this is personal, and I bear no animosity towards you or the party. There is much upon which we can continue to work together for Northern Ireland and our place within the Union.

I stand ready to do so in friendship and cooperation. "My first responsibility remains to Upper Bann, and I will continue in this mandate, and in future mandates to seek election to serve as their representative in whichever capacity I believe I can best serve this great constituency.

"I hope we can preserve our friendship and, forge a force for good within all strains of Unionism in the days ahead."