DUP MP quits party as response to Drumcree march row 'falls short'

A TOP Unionist politician in Northern Ireland has quit her party in protest over its response to the Garvaghy Road Orange march controversy. Carla Lockhart has left the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), saying their response to the stand-off in Portadown earlier this year fell “far short of the profound consequences promised”.

In a statement, she said: “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.” READ MORE: Sandie Peggie loses legal case over 'gender-critical discrimination' claims She had already clashed with the party leadership for not removing Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill from her role as First Minister.

Lockhart has called for O’Neill to be removed, claiming that her involvement with a protest against the Orange Order Drumcree march was unlawful. 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 loyalist 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 O’Neill from her role. The DUP stopped short of pulling Little-Pengelly out of her role but on Thursday last week announced she would no longer participate in joint engagements with O’Neill.

Little-Pengelly will also not be giving permission for O’Neill to fulfil engagements on her own in the role of First Minister. READ MORE: Labour ‘making the case’ for Scottish independence referendum after Brexit admission In her statement, Lockhart added: “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.” (Image: Mark Marlow/PA Wire) A DUP spokesperson said: “We regret Carla Lockhart’s decision to resign from the Democratic Unionist Party. “We thank her for her service to the Party and recognise her work on behalf of the people of Upper Bann.

The only winner out of further divisions within Unionism is Sinn Féin. “We share the anger felt across Unionism at Michelle O’Neill’s actions. Our disagreement is over the course of action that will secure accountability and best serve Northern Ireland.”