Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said more talk of instability from the DUP shows they are putting internal party chaos over the needs of ordinary people.

Speaking after comments made by Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart in Westminster, John O’Dowd said:

“More talk of instability by Carla Lockhart MP is just another example of the DUP’s reckless and irresponsible approach to government and people’s lives.

“Her comments in Westminster point up the DUP’s inability to accept democratic decisions in the Assembly where they are increasingly an outlier as a result of their opposition to rights and progressive social and economic policies, and an inability to accept the will of the people in elections. 

“It has become increasingly clear that the DUP are in a panic about poor poll results and internal party chaos and have little or no interest in the needs of ordinary people.

“The DUP don’t speak for the majority of people in the north on Brexit or the Protocol.

“It’s also ironic that the DUP are now issuing warnings to the British government over implementing an Irish language and culture package which the DUP themselves signed up to in January 2020 along with other parties.

“The negative and dishonest sabre-rattling needs to end. 

“People want solutions in the talks between the EU and the British government and they want the Protocol to work to allow businesses to create jobs and attract investment. That should be the focus.”