Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has left the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
Lockhart had called for the DUP to remove First Minister Michelle O’Neill from office by having Emma Little-Pengelly resign from her role as deputy first minister.
However, the DUP confirmed that Little-Pengelly would not participate in joint engagements with O’Neill and permission would not be granted for the first minister to operate on a solo basis.
It follows unionist anger over Sinn Féin’s involvement in protests which prevented a contentious Orange Order parade in Portadown, County Armagh, from passing along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road.
In a letter posted on her X account, Lockhart said it was “a difficult and deeply personal decision”.
“The party has chosen its approach, as is its right. I must now act according to my convictions,” she wrote.
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