Stormont: Parties clash for second day over FM role in Drumcree dispute

Stormont parties have clashed for a second day in the Northern Ireland Assembly over First Minister Michelle O’Neill’s involvement in a street protest against the Drumcree parade.

The Sinn Féin vice-president was accused of being “on the run” by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after not attending to answer an urgent question on the issue for a second day.

Sinn Féin said the assembly session coincided with “other urgent business” as O’Neill was travelling to Dublin to discuss the parading dispute with the taoiseach (Irish prime minister).

The assembly speaker Edwin Poots said the first minister had “given an assurance” that she would “attend the chamber at our next sitting on Monday”.

Unionist parties have accused O’Neill and other senior Sinn Féin figures of acting unlawfully over their involvement in the protest at Garvaghy Road in Portadown.

The demonstration blocked an Orange Order march, due to be held on Sunday morning, from passing along the mainly nationalist road.

On Monday, Poots accused the first minister of showing “gross contempt” to the assembly for not attending to answer an urgent question on the matter.

But O’Neill said she disagreed with the speaker, adding: “I’m very confident in my role in supporting a community that’s under siege.”

The urgent question was rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon, but Poots said the first minister had informed him “she is now not available due to another urgent engagement”.

“I have been given an assurance that the first minister will attend the chamber at our next sitting on Monday,” the speaker told the assembly.

The DUP assembly member added: “Given the circumstances we are in, I think members will understand that ministers and party leaders are involved in various discussions.

“I am content that this resolves the matter and gives the opportunity for the assembly to discuss these matters and to hold the minister to account.”