DUP can remove O'Neill as first minister, says MP Lockhart

DUP MP Carla Lockhart has said her party has the ability to remove Michelle O'Neill from her role as Northern Ireland's first minister, speaking outside Drumcree Church on Saturday. Lockhart said the DUP has it 'within its gift to remove' O'Neill, according to BBC News NI. She said her constituents are angry about O'Neill's role in the Garvaghy Road protests.

Lockhart said that anger is directed at the chief constable for 'allowing lawlessness to win' and at the secretary of state for his intervention, but that the most palpable anger is at O'Neill. She accused O'Neill of breaking the law flagrantly on the Garvaghy Road and thumbing her nose at unionism, the Orange Order and the community. O'Neill has defended her involvement, saying she was standing with the local community in opposition to an Orange Order parade through the area.

The DUP shares power with Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland Executive, but Lockhart said it cannot be business as usual. She said people want consequences and the party should use whatever is in its armoury to deal with O'Neill. The DUP could remove O'Neill if the deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, quits, though that seems unlikely.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Lockhart is right that options exist, but he stopped short of suggesting his party may collapse the executive. He also called on the chief constable to be open about the threat he perceived when he asked the secretary of state to review the Parades Commission's determination. TUV leader Jim Allister said he was disappointed by the DUP's 'limp response', accusing the party of doing nothing.

Sinn Féin assembly member John O'Dowd rejected claims that the move to ban the parade went in favour of his party, saying the decision went the way of the residents. He said the community had faced an awful four weeks since the application to walk was lodged and appealed for calm language and responsible leadership. The parade did not happen, and after legal challenges and talks, the secretary of state banned the procession on Friday. A High Court judge on Saturday said an appeal by Orangemen was not an emergency case and adjourned the hearing until Monday.

Police have begun issuing letters inviting people reasonably suspected of offences linked to the protests to interview. Lockhart said the 35 Orangemen from Portadown District Lodge had stood lawfully for the last two weeks on Drumcree hill. She added that she has confidence she will ensure her constituents' voices are heard within the party.