Carla Lockhart denies 'simply satisfying hardliners' over Drumcree stance

Carla Lockhart has written a post on social media outlining the reasons for her decision to stand down as party officer for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

On Thursday, the MP said she could not "continue to be part of the team that decide on the direction and strategy discussions of the party" as party leader Gavin Robinson has so far ruled out removing Emma Little-Pengelly as deputy first minister.

There have been differences of opinion within the DUP over how to deal with the fallout of the Drumcree dispute.

Lockhart has called for Little-Pengelly's removal due to First Minister Michelle O'Neill's attendance at a Garvaghy Road protest.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, Lockhart said suggestions that she is "simply 'satisfying hardliners' misses the point".

As an officer, Lockhart belonged to a small decision-making committee within the party.

DUP leader Robinson has previously said that "she remains a key part of our team" and that he "would rather that she hadn't" quit her party officer role.

Lockhart's post said she felt "strongly that an issue this serious cannot be resolved through symbolic or token gestures. Nor am I interested in myself making any such gestures".

"Any belief the steps I have taken are for that purpose is deeply misguided and completely misreads both my strength of feeling, and that of those I represent."

She added: "I believe we must follow through with meaningful action. People need to trust that our words mean something, particularly when the decisions are difficult."

Lockhart said she is calling for the DUP to remove O'Neill from office, which she said would not collapse the Assembly, and would not grant the Secretary of State any additional powers.

The MP added that she has "never seen unionism so united or felt such anger across our community".

On Friday, Robinson sent a letter to party members detailing his thoughts on the situation.

The DUP leader said the outcome of the police investigation into various members of Sinn Féin "will be key".

On Wednesday, Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin president Mary-Lou McDonald attended voluntary police interviews over their involvement in protests on the Garvaghy Road blocking an Orange Order parade.

"Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done," Robinson said.

"No person can be immune from prosecution because of their politics or position."

He added that "by acting now to stop the Executive functioning at all", unionism would be "weakened in the longer term".