DUP Leader Supports Attendance at Counter-Demonstration
Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson stated that it was "entirely appropriate" for DUP politicians to attend a counter-demonstration against a Palestine solidarity walk held over the weekend.
Robinson commended MP Carla Lockhart and other party members after images circulated showing Lockhart standing beside masked men at the protest. He also criticized the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) for "blocking the ability of people to peacefully protest."
Lockhart has dismissed the criticism following the social media release of the photographs, explaining that she and 10 other politicians were present "to de-escalate" what she described as a "very volatile situation."
The comments come after Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard, representing the area, accused Lockhart of acting as a "political shield for thugs."
The PSNI responded by stating,
"An appropriate and proportionate policing operation was implemented to maintain public safety during a notified parade and protest."
March Organisers Describe Event and Counter-Protest
The organisers of the Palestine solidarity march reported that the event was "peaceful, dignified and disciplined throughout."
The Great March for Gaza was organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with approximately 1,500 pro-Palestine marchers walking along a canal towpath from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday morning.
Organisers characterised a counter-protest in Scarva, County Down, as "racist, xenophobic, sectarian."
They stated,
"Our march was blocked and delayed for over 45 minutes while counter protesters shouted abuse at participants."
Additionally, organisers reported that marchers were compelled to proceed through slurry spread on the road, which they described as "creating an unnecessary hazard and a degrading experience for peaceful participants."
They expressed regret that some political representatives appeared more focused on "manufacturing a narrative of victimhood than acknowledging the conduct witnessed on the ground."
Robinson Criticizes PSNI and Defends Colleagues
Speaking to the media on Monday, Gavin Robinson accused the PSNI of "frustrating" the Parades Commission's decision and asserted that his colleagues had ensured the "difficult situation didn't spiral out of control."
He condemned what he described as "pearl clutching and hypocrisy from people who should know better."
Addressing concerns regarding intimidation of journalists, Robinson stated that he condemned "violence and intimidation" and that no one should be "masked up."
He also criticized online comments directed at Lockhart, affirming,
"She stood with the community of Scarva."
Criticism from Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard
Earlier, Chris Hazzard spoke on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, describing the events in Scarva, located in his South Down constituency, as "completely unacceptable."
He said,
"While families were taking part in a peaceful walk to raise awareness for humanitarian aid for dying children in Gaza an MP was front and centre of a hostile, masked mob whose sole aim was intimidation."
Hazzard dismissed Lockhart's claim that she was present to de-escalate the situation as "frankly pathetic."
He added,
"Images clearly show Carla standing not near, but shoulder to shoulder with masked men acting as a political shield for thugs who were chanting vile sectarian and racist abuse."
He further stated,
"Carla didn't calm tensions, she emboldened them and is dragging us back to a past that we have left behind."
Lockhart Responds to Allegations and Police Actions
On the same programme, Carla Lockhart described the police response upon her arrival in Scarva on Saturday.
She said,
"The police had blocked bridge, which was a designated area for the protest to take place. That immediately made a bad situation worse."
Lockhart continued,
"Protesters made their way to an area which was an unfinished development. The PSNI came in very heavy."
She explained that she and her colleagues intervened to de-escalate tensions, negotiate with police, and encourage the community, resulting in what she described as a "very quiet, peaceful" occasion with no incidents.
When questioned about being at the forefront of masked men, Lockhart called the allegation "utter, utter rubbish."
Discussion on Masked Individuals at the Protest
Chris Hazzard told Good Morning Ulster that numerous people, including photographers and videographers, were present in Scarva and that the public could clearly see Lockhart's actions.
He stated,
"A public representative not near but in the midst, front and centre, of masked men, 2026, of masked men standing on the side of a towpath, intimidating shouting vile sectarian racist abuse at families who were walking to raise awareness of genocide and to raise funds for children who are dying in Gaza."
Hazzard emphasized that there is "no place for masked men, paramilitary style face coverings in broad daylight."
Lockhart responded that she does not want to see anyone with their face covered, whether on the parade or among protesters.
She added,
"What I was dealing with was a number of protesters in a building site with lots of debris, lots of things there that could have potentially escalated."
Lockhart said she worked with the PSNI and the community, stating,
"I told the PSNI I would stand with the protestors to ensure peaceful and that nothing would happen on the side of the protesters and that's exactly what happened."
Parades Commission Statement
The Parades Commission granted permission for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign march with conditions, as well as for the counter-protest.
In a statement, the Commission said,
"The investigation of suspected criminal offences resulting from alleged breaches of the Commission's determinations is a matter for the Police Service of Northern Ireland."
They added,
"In accordance with its usual practice, the Commission will consider all of the information available to it and take account of it in the event of any future notifications of similar events being made to it."
