Carla Lockhart leaves DUP and will sit as an independent unionist MP

Politics · First reported 2 Nov, 17:46 · Updated 17:52

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Francis Matahum · CC BY-SA 4.0

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart resigned from the DUP after disagreeing with its response to the Drumcree parade dispute and its handling of Michelle O’Neill’s role as First Minister. She said she would continue as an independent unionist in the House of Commons.

Lockhart said the DUP’s response to her demands over the Drumcree dispute, along with concerns about the Irish Sea border, left her unable to remain in the party.
She had urged the DUP to withdraw Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from office, which would have forced Michelle O’Neill from the joint First Minister role; the party did not take that step.
The DUP said it regretted her resignation and that its disagreement with Lockhart was over how best to secure accountability and serve Northern Ireland.

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Key facts

MP: Carla Lockhart, representing Upper Bann
Party resignation: She resigned from the DUP on Monday, 2 November 2026
Next role: She said she would sit as an independent unionist in the House of Commons
Dispute: The Drumcree parading dispute and the DUP’s response to Michelle O’Neill’s role as First Minister