Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has resigned the Democratic Unionist Party whip amid an internal row over the Drumcree parade. Ms Lockhart, 41, will now sit as an independent Unionist in the House of Commons.In a 474-word resignation letter, Ms Lockhart said she was “leaving on a point of principle”, adding: “This is a sad day and a deeply personal decision.”Ms Lockhart had been on resignation watch after she called for the DUP leadership to remove Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill as First Minister.
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The ex-DUP MP believes Ms O’Neill can no longer serve as First Minister after she joined a counter-demonstration against an Orange Order parade in Portadown last month. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating several Sinn Fein officials over the Garvaghy Road protest.DUP leader Gavin Robinson stopped short of following Ms Lockhart’s call to force the First Minister out of office.He is instead blocking Ms O’Neill from official engagements, including attending an economic summit involving Andy Burnham.In her resignation letter, Ms Lockhart said: “I stood in front of, in or around, 15,000 people and said this lady was not for turning. “I have said Michelle O’Neill should be removed from office whilst allowing the Assembly to continue to function, as provided for in the legislation. I stand over that.”I cannot stand idly by whilst Sinn Fein wilfully ignores the rule of law and the promised profound consequences fail to materialise.”Today in the Assembly, Michelle O’Neill again stands defiant, declaring she is as much First Minister this week as last week. LATEST DEVELOPMENTSAndy Burnham under fire after taxpayer-funded jet flew from Stansted to Manchester to pick up PMAndy Burnham’s small boats total hits 10,000 as crossings surge over weekendAndy Burnham reaches grim small boat milestone as 520 cross Channel in eight dinghies”This simply is not tolerable. A line in the sand needed to be drawn in unionism long ago: today I am drawing my line.”Ms Lockhart also expressed concerns over the implementation of the Irish Sea Border, adding: “I must remain true to my principles and the trust those who elected me have placed in me.”It is understood that multiple DUP councillors could also resign in support of Ms Lockhart’s decision. The DUP, which was set up by Ian Paisley in 1971, suffered its worst result since 2001 at the 2024 General Election.Ms Lockhart’s resignation means only four MPs will sit with the DUP whip in Westminster.Seven Sinn Fein MPs do not take their seats in the House of Commons, with the Social Democratic & Labour Party holding two constituencies. The Alliance Party, Ulster Unionist Party and Traditional Unionist Voice all have one seat, respectively. However, ex-DUP member Alexander Easton also represents voters from North Down. Mr Easton, who sat in Stormont as a DUP MLA between 2003 and 2021, quit the party amid a leadership row involving Edwin Poots and the now-convicted paedophile, Jeffrey Donaldson. Responding to Ms Lockhart’s resignation, the DUP 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.”The statement added: “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.”
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