Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart quits her position as party officer

DUP MP and Aughnacloy native, Carla Lockhart, has quit her position as a party officer, according to reports on Thursday night.

Earlier in the day, the Upper Bann politician had been speaking on BBC Northern Ireland’s Nolan Show where she had declined to express confidence in DUP leader Gavin Robinson.

Tension has been growing between Ms Lockhart and Mr Robinson over the Garvaghy Road protests.

The First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald attended police interviews over their involvement in Drumcree in September.

Ms Lockhart believes Emma Little-Pengelly should be removed as deputy First Minister and the Executive collapsed. However, the DUP leader has so far resisted calls to take such action.

Asked whether she had confidence in her party leader, she replied: “I have confidence that the unionist people want action.

“I have confidence that action is needed and wanted, and therefore I will continue to advocate for that.

“I am not going to get into the intricacies of the internal workings of the DUP. I have confidence that all elected representatives from a unionist persuasion, including Gavin, know exactly how frustrated and angry unionism is in regards to the behaviour of Michelle O’Neill.

“People are obsessed with the internal workings. I speak for myself. I have very clear opinions and views and I will always seek to represent those in the best way I can. Whatever discussions need to be had, I’m not having those on the airwaves.

She added: “People are angry that we have a self-proclaimed ‘First Minister for all’ in office who is currently under investigation for law-breaking.

“She’s certainly not a First Minister that I would accept. That law-breaking has to have, yes, criminal sanctions, but also political as well.

“Unionists I believe are at the end of their tether with regards to Michelle O’Neill’s behaviour.”