DUP party officers to meet to discuss Drumcree next steps

The Democratic Unionist Party's (DUP) ruling committee is to meet on Thursday to discuss what steps it takes after the Drumcree parading dispute.

The BBC understands there are two options that the party will discuss - including collapsing the Northern Ireland Executive as early as next week.

Meanwhile, a second DUP assembly member has called for First Minister Michelle O'Neill's removal from office.

Maurice Bradley said removing O'Neill "would not, in itself, require the Assembly to collapse".

Sources told the BBC's Nolan Live programme the options the DUP party officers will discuss are to collapse the Northern Ireland Executive by removing Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from her position, or declaring an immediate cessation of any joint engagements or press conferences with O'Neill.

If the executive were to collapse, the assembly can still sit for at least six months and departmental ministers can stay in place.

Bradley follows Diane Forsythe in joining party colleague Carla Lockhart MP's calls for O'Neill's removal.

Lockhart last week stepped down from the DUP's officer board in response to party leader Gavin Robinson not removing the deputy first minister to force O'Neill from the joint office.

It follows unionist anger over the first minister's involvement in protests on the Garvaghy Road, which blocked a contentious Orange Order parade from passing along the mainly nationalist street in Portadown, County Armagh.

Bradley said the "attitude displayed by senior Sinn Féin representatives in the aftermath" of the dispute "have caused widespread anger and concern".

He said the "arrogance and defiance demonstrated by repeated declarations that Michelle O'Neill is 'going nowhere'" was "concerning".

Last week, a court heard Police Service of Northern Ireland intelligence information that dissidents may have mounted gun attacks on police had officers cleared a path for the parade.

Bradley's statement added: "No one is above the law, regardless of their political position. There cannot be one standard for ordinary citizens and another for those holding the highest offices in Northern Ireland."

Senior Sinn Féin politicians, including the first minister, have attended police interviews over their involvement in protests on the Garvaghy Road.

He said Sinn Féin's "conduct and subsequent attitude have damaged confidence in our political institutions and undermined efforts to build good relations".

"I do not believe the public wants another collapse of the assembly. Our hospitals, schools, communities and public services face enormous challenges that demand functioning government," he said.

"However, maintaining political stability cannot become an excuse for avoiding accountability. Removing Michelle O'Neill from the office of First Minister would not, in itself, require the Assembly to collapse."

Bradley added that the party "must stand together" and "support Carla Lockhart".

Other party members including former MP Lord McCrea and Mid Ulster councillor Clement Cuthbertson have also backed Lockhart.

Party leader Robinson said last week that he was "sorry" to see Lockhart quit the DUP's officer board but added that she remained "a key part of our team".

Speaking on the BBC's The View programme, the Robinson said the party had reached a democratic decision on how to deal with the Drumcree fallout.

He questioned whether it was necessary to "punish everyone in Northern Ireland when actually we should be punishing those who broke the law".

"We have considered all options and we keep all options on the table," he added.