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A member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly has echoed the calls of MP Carla Lockhart urging the removal of Michelle O’Neill from her role as First Minister at Stormont. Diane Forsythe emphasized that the “profound consequences” promised in response to O’Neill’s involvement in the Drumcree parading dispute must be upheld.
Carla Lockhart recently resigned from the DUP’s officer board following the party leader Gavin Robinson’s refusal to remove Sinn Féin’s deputy first minister, a move intended to push O’Neill out of office. The tensions stem from unionist frustration over O’Neill’s participation in protests that blocked an Orange Order parade along Garvaghy Road, a predominantly nationalist area in Portadown, County Armagh. This parade has long been a source of contention between communities.
Several senior Sinn Féin officials, including O’Neill, have been questioned by police regarding the demonstrations, with unionists accusing Sinn Féin of unlawful behavior. O’Neill has defended her actions, stating her continued support for the residents of Garvaghy Road. The disagreement has caused divisions within the DUP about how best to respond, given Stormont’s power-sharing arrangement between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
Diane Forsythe, representing South Down in the assembly and a member of the DUP’s officer team, expressed her support for Lockhart during a recent rally in Portadown. Forsythe criticized Sinn Féin’s “arrogance” and highlighted the anger felt throughout the unionist community. She insisted, “There have been commitments made to deliver profound consequences and that it cannot be business as usual. These must be honoured,” adding, “It is my view that Michelle O’Neill should be removed from office. The assembly and other ministerial offices would continue until the next election.” Forsythe also suggested that until significant action is taken, first minister engagement through the joint Executive Office should halt immediately as a minimum response.
Last week, DUP leader Gavin Robinson expressed regret over Lockhart’s resignation but affirmed that she remained an important member of the party. In an interview on BBC’s The View programme, Robinson explained that the party had democratically decided how to address the fallout from the Drumcree dispute. He questioned the wisdom of imposing broad punishment on Northern Ireland, stating, “We have considered all options and we keep all options on the table,” and suggested that only those who broke the law should face consequences
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