DUP MLA Diane Forsythe joins push to remove Michelle O'Neill as first minister

Unionist anger grows over Sinn Féin leader's role in parade protests; internal DUP divisions deepen on response

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

DUP assembly member Diane Forsythe has added her voice to calls from MP Carla Lockhart for First Minister Michelle O'Neill to be removed from office, intensifying the political fallout from the Drumcree parading dispute. The move highlights deepening unionist anger and internal DUP tensions over how to respond to the Sinn Féin vice-president's involvement in protests that blocked an Orange Order parade in Portadown.

Forsythe, a South Down MLA and member of the DUP's officer team, said on Monday night that commitments to deliver "profound consequences" over the matter "must be honoured".

"It is my view that Michelle O'Neill should be removed from office," Forsythe wrote on Facebook. "The assembly and other ministerial offices would continue until the next election." She described unionist anger as "immense" and accused Sinn Féin of "arrogance". As a bare minimum, she argued, official engagements through the joint Executive Office should be halted immediately.

Lockhart last week stepped down from the party's officer board in response to DUP leader Gavin Robinson's refusal to remove the party's deputy first minister, a step that would force O'Neill from the joint office.

O'Neill has defended her attendance at the demonstrations last month on the Garvaghy Road, saying she would "continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents". Police have interviewed O'Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures about the protests.

Robinson expressed regret over Lockhart's resignation but defended the party's measured approach. Speaking on BBC's The View, he questioned whether it was necessary to "punish everyone in Northern Ireland when actually we should be punishing those who broke the law". He added that the party had considered all options and kept them on the table.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The call to remove the first minister threatens the stability of the power-sharing government at Stormont, which relies on cross-community consent.
The dispute exposes a growing internal divide within the DUP over how aggressively to confront Sinn Féin, with potential implications for the party's electoral base.
A police investigation into O'Neill's conduct adds a legal dimension to the political crisis.

Background

The Drumcree dispute is a long-standing flashpoint in Northern Ireland's parading tensions. Last month, First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined demonstrations that blocked an Orange Order parade on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. Unionists accused Sinn Féin of acting unlawfully, leading to calls for O'Neill's removal from the joint office of First Minister, a post she holds alongside a deputy first minister from the DUP under the region's power-sharing arrangement.

Key Perspectives

Diane Forsythe (DUP MLA): believes Michelle O'Neill "should be removed from office" and that "profound consequences" pledged over the Drumcree affair must be honoured, adding that unionist anger is "immense".

Carla Lockhart (DUP MP): stepped down from the DUP's officer board in protest at the party leadership's refusal to take stronger action against O'Neill.

Gavin Robinson (DUP leader): expressed regret over Lockhart's resignation, defended the party's democratic decision on the response, and questioned whether punishing "everyone in Northern Ireland" was necessary when the focus should be on "those who broke the law".

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin / First Minister): defended her attendance at the protests and said she will "continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents".

What to Watch

Whether further DUP assembly members resign from official posts or formal no-confidence proceedings are initiated against the First Minister.
The outcome of the police investigation into O'Neill and other Sinn Féin figures involved in the protests.
Whether the DUP leadership can hold the party line or if internal pressure forces a change in the coalition strategy.

Sources

‘No Pope of Rome’ tune played at Orange Order Drumcree support rally and parade · The Irish News
DUP MLA joins Lockhart's call for O'Neill's removal as first minister · BBC Northern Ireland
DUP MLA joins Lockhart's call for O'Neill's removal as first minister · BBC News

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedDiane Forsythe has joined Carla Lockhart’s calls for Michelle O’Neill to be removed from office.BBC Northern Ireland: “A Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member has joined MP colleague Carla Lockhart's calls for Stormont's First Minister Michelle O'Neill to be "removed from office".”
Partly supportedUnionist anger is growing over the Sinn Féin leader’s role in the parade protests.BBC Northern Ireland: “It follows unionist anger over the first minister's involvement in protests on the Garvaghy Road”
Partly supportedInternal DUP divisions are deepening over the response.BBC Northern Ireland: “The political row has sparked differences of opinion over how to respond within the DUP”
Partly supportedForsythe’s move is intensifying the political fallout from the dispute.BBC Northern Ireland: “The political row has sparked differences of opinion over how to respond within the DUP”
SupportedForsythe said commitments to deliver “profound consequences” “must be honoured”.BBC Northern Ireland: “There have been commitments made to deliver profound consequences and that it cannot be business as usual. These must be honoured,”
SupportedForsythe said, “It is my view that Michelle O’Neill should be removed from office.”BBC Northern Ireland: “It is my view that Michelle O'Neill should be removed from office.”
SupportedForsythe said, “The assembly and other ministerial offices would continue until the next election.”BBC Northern Ireland: “The assembly and other ministerial offices would continue until the next election.”
SupportedO’Neill said she would “continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents”.BBC Northern Ireland: “The Sinn Féin deputy leader has defended her attendance at the demonstrations last month, saying she would "continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents".”
SupportedLockhart stepped down from the DUP officer board in response to Robinson not removing the deputy first minister, a step that would force O’Neill from the joint office.BBC Northern Ireland: “Lockhart last week stepped down from the DUP's officer board in response to party leader Gavin Robinson not removing their deputy first minister to force O'Neill from the joint office.”
SupportedPolice have interviewed O’Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures about the protests.BBC Northern Ireland: “O'Neill and several other senior Sinn Féin figures have been interviewed by police investigating the demonstrations”
SupportedRobinson questioned whether it was necessary to “punish everyone in Northern Ireland when actually we should be punishing those who broke the law”.BBC Northern Ireland: “He questioned whether it was necessary to "punish everyone in Northern Ireland when actually we should be punishing those who broke the law".”