Aughnacloy native quits DUP in explosive Drumcree row
CARLA LOCKHART says she cannot stand by as Sinn Féin ‘ignores the rule of law’
AUGHNACLOY native Carla Lockhart has sensationally quit the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in a major unionist split over the party’s response to the controversial Drumcree parading dispute.
The 41-year-old Upper Bann MP announced her departure on Monday, declaring it a decision taken on a “point of principle” after DUP leader Gavin Robinson refused to back her demand for the party to force Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill from office.
Ms Lockhart will continue to represent Upper Bann at Westminster as an independent unionist, promising to work with all strands of unionism despite the bitter political fallout.
Her resignation follows mounting anger among unionists over Sinn Féin’s involvement in protests on Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh, which prevented a contentious Orange Order parade from proceeding along the mainly nationalist street.
Ms O’Neill and several other senior Sinn Féin figures have been interviewed by police investigating the demonstrations, with unionists accusing the party of acting unlawfully. The Sinn Féin vice-president has defended her participation, insisting it was the “right thing to do”.
Ms Lockhart had urged the DUP to withdraw its deputy first minister from the power-sharing Executive, believing this would force Ms O’Neill from her position as First Minister.
However, while the DUP last week announced it would block official engagements involving Ms O’Neill in response to the controversy, Mr Robinson stopped short of the more drastic action demanded by his colleague.
In an open letter to DUP colleagues last week, Ms Lockhart warned that forcing Ms O’Neill from office was the “only one credible option”, adding that any “graduated response” would be “insulting to those who have trusted us”.
Announcing her resignation on Facebook, the Aughnacloy-born politician said: “My first responsibility remains to the people of Upper Bann.
“You placed your trust in me, and I will continue to work every bit as hard for you, your family and our community.”
Describing her departure as a “sad day and a deeply personal decision”, she added: “I cannot stand idly by whilst Sinn Féin wilfully ignores the rule of law and the promised profound consequences fail to materialise.”
Ms Lockhart said she looked forward to working with “all shades of unionism, elected or not, to advance the cause we love”.
Her departure represents a significant setback for the DUP as it faces renewed pressure over its handling of the Drumcree dispute and the growing divisions within unionism over how to respond to Sinn Féin.
In a statement, the DUP said it regretted Ms Lockhart’s decision and thanked her for her service to the party and her work on behalf of Upper Bann.
“The only winner out of further divisions within unionism is Sinn Féin,” the party said.
It added that it shared the anger felt across unionism at Ms O’Neill’s actions, but said the disagreement was over “the course of action that will secure accountability and best serve Northern Ireland”.
Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister welcomed Ms Lockhart’s resignation, suggesting the DUP had placed its commitment to keeping Ms O’Neill in office ahead of retaining the support of its own representatives.
“Having myself resigned from the DUP almost 20 years ago, I know this was not an easy decision. But for honest politicians principle matters more than position,” he said.
Mr Allister claimed the DUP’s preference for “‘O’Neill Must Stay’” had led it to choose Ms O’Neill over Ms Lockhart, adding that it was little wonder the party’s electoral base was deserting it.
He concluded by saying he looked forward to working closely with Ms Lockhart and described her departure as “a hopeful day for unionism”.