DUP MP says her party could help remove O'Neill as Northern Ireland first minister
DUP MP Carla Lockhart has suggested her party could move to remove Michelle O'Neill as Northern Ireland's first minister. The threat follows O'Neill's participation in protests against an Orange Order parade, which has sparked significant anger among unionist constituents.
Why it matters
This political maneuvering highlights the ongoing fragility of power-sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland and the deep-seated sectarian tensions surrounding public demonstrations.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, O'Neill previously dismissed a call from the DUP to resign over her role in protests against the Drumcree parade
A DUP MP says unionist voters are angry at Michelle O'Neill over her role in the Garvaghy Road protests and says it "cannot be business as usual" at Stormont.
Carla Lockhart said the DUP has it "within its gift to remove" O'Neill as Northern Ireland's first minister.
On Friday, the secretary of state banned the Portadown District Lodge from marching down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road . His decision was welcomed by nationalist politicians but unionists have criticised the move.
O'Neill is one of a number of Sinn Féin politicians who have confirmed they received letters from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigating protests over the Drumcree parading dispute.
What is the Garvaghy Road dispute all about?
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