Carla Lockhart says DUP should use powers to remove Michelle O'Neill over Drumcree parade row

Democratic Unionist Party MP Carla Lockhart has declared that her party holds the power to remove Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill as First Minister, arguing that power-sharing at Stormont cannot continue as normal following disputes over an Orange Order parade at Drumcree.

Lockhart urged her party to deploy "whatever is in our armoury" to deliver "profound consequences" against the First Minister. The controversy follows the decision by senior Sinn Féin politicians, including Finance Minister John O'Dowd, to join residents protesting against a parade along Portadown's Garvaghy Road.

Under Northern Ireland's power-sharing rules, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister hold a joint office. The DUP could automatically remove O'Neill from her post if Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly were to resign.

DUP split over Stormont collapse

Lockhart's demand exposes internal debate within unionism over how to respond to the dispute. DUP leader Gavin Robinson signaled reluctance to collapse the Executive over the issue, questioning whether pulling down Northern Ireland's administration would resolve the situation or "bring the Orangemen home".

Lockhart rejected continuing normal political relations with O'Neill, accusing her of showing disdain toward a large section of the community despite her pledge to act as a First Minister for all.

Sinn Féin defends Garvaghy Road protest

Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd defended his presence at the Garvaghy Road demonstration, stating that he stood with local residents who had faced four weeks of tension after the parade application was lodged.

Speaking on television, O'Dowd said he owned his decision and believed joining the protest was the right course of action. He appealed to DUP leaders to tone down their rhetoric, urging them to focus on reconciliation in Portadown rather than attempts to demonise or criminalise the local community.

Police have confirmed that they have started issuing letters inviting individuals suspected of committing offences connected to protests following the 27 September march to attend interviews. Whether the DUP leadership will move to force a fresh crisis at Stormont remains unclear.