Democratic Unionist Party Assembly Member Diane Forsythe has backed calls to remove Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill from her position as Northern Ireland’s first minister. The move on Monday night escalates internal political pressure over recent protests on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.
Diane Forsythe Backs First Minister Removal Call
The political pressure inside Northern Ireland’s devolved government intensified on Monday night when Democratic Unionist Party Assembly Member Diane Forsythe threw her support behind demands to oust the territory’s first minister. Writing in a social media post, Forsythe backed an earlier push from her party colleague Carla Lockhart, insisting that the Northern Ireland Executive must deliver profound consequences following recent demonstrations.
The dispute centers on Michelle O’Neill’s involvement in protests last month along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh. Those demonstrations successfully blocked a contentious Orange Order parade from marching down the predominantly nationalist street. Unionist leaders quickly labeled the Sinn Féin vice-president’s participation unlawful, and police have already interviewed O’Neill alongside several senior party figures regarding the events.
O’Neill has defended her actions, making it clear she stands by local residents. In response to unionist outrage, she stated she would continue to stand with the Garvaghy Road residents
despite mounting political fallout.
Internal Divisions Within the Democratic Unionist Party
The growing demand for O’Neill’s removal has exposed sharp tactical disagreements within the DUP itself. Lockhart stepped down from the party’s officer board last week after DUP leader Gavin Robinson opted against forcing O’Neill out of the joint office shared by the two parties at Stormont.
A significant and courageous contribution from Diane Forsythe who could hardly be dismissed as some kind of rabble rouser or “hardliner”. Michelle O’Neill must be removed from office. There is no credible alternative.The dam is bursting. pic.twitter.com/6uAJbSiZO5
Forsythe, who represents South Down in the assembly and sits on the DUP’s party officer team, made her stance clear in her Facebook statement on Monday night. She condemned what she termed Sinn Féin’s arrogance and described the mood among unionists as one of immense anger.
There have been commitments made to deliver profound consequences and that it cannot be business as usual. These must be honoured. It is my view that Michelle O’Neill should be removed from office. The assembly and other ministerial offices would continue until the next election.
Diane Forsythe, DUP Assembly Member, via BBC
Forsythe added that if the party failed to take meaningful action, the Executive Office should immediately halt official engagements as a bare minimum requirement.
Gavin Robinson Defends the Party’s Democratic Approach
DUP leader Gavin Robinson acknowledged Lockhart’s departure from the officer board last week while emphasizing that she remained a key part of our team
despite the internal rift. Speaking publicly on television, Robinson defended the leadership’s chosen path.
Robinson questioned the wisdom of punishing the wider public across Northern Ireland instead of focusing accountability solely on individuals who may have broken the law. He confirmed that the leadership had evaluated multiple paths forward, noting that officials have considered all options and we keep all options on the table.
