Unionist parties move to oust ministers over Garvaghy Road protest

Unionist representatives have filed no-confidence motions against four senior Stormont ministers, claiming they backed an unlawful demonstration on Garvaghy Road that halted a Drumcree Orange Order parade. The accused include Finance Minister John O’Dowd, Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who defended her actions as standing up for residents against a contentious march.

The motions were introduced by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston and received support from DUP MLAs Jonathan Buckley and Diane Dodds as well as UUP leader Jon Burrows. If passed, the measures would prevent the ministers from holding any ministerial or junior post for a year. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating the protest for possible offences, while the Parades Commission had recently approved the parade route after a three-decade hiatus. The Assembly will consider the motions on Monday, but they require a majority from both unionist and nationalist members to succeed.