“We were not there to inflame tensions. We were there to prevent them escalating.”
18:07, 07 Jun 2026Updated 21:29, 07 Jun 2026
Carla Lockhart MP was pictured at the counter-protest in Scarva
A DUP MP has defended her actions following criticism after she was pictured standing with masked men during a counter protest to a pro-Palestine march.
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart received criticism from a number of political representatives including South Down MP Chris Hazzard, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, and SDLP leader Claire Hanna.
Hundreds turned out in the Co Down village of Scarva on Saturday in opposition to the Great March for Gaza, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) which was due to pass by on the Newry towpath enroute from Lurgan to Newry.
There was a heavy police presence which focused on enforcing Parades Commission conditions of keeping those from the march from entering Scarva, and blocked off several bridges in the village. Police resources made available included water cannons and armoured Land Rovers as well as TSG officers.
Ms Lockhart criticised the police presence, saying it caused disruption to local residents, did not reduce anxiety and tensions and blocked off Scarva Bridge where the counter demonstration had been planned to take place.
A large number of protesters instead staged a demonstration further up the village close to a new housing development, and just across a narrow canal from the march.
March organisers have contended they were faced with “slurs hurled from an un-notified counter protest in a field outside Scarva”.
During events, Ms Lockhart was photographed standing among masked individuals in Scarva as the march passed by.
A counter-protest in Scarva to the Great March for Gaza(Image: PressEye)
In a statement on social media on Sunday, June 7, Ms Lockhart said she will “never apologise for standing with my community.” She added: “I was there alongside DUP MLAs, DUP councillors, UUP councillors, a TUV councillor and local community leaders.
“Throughout the day we engaged with senior police officers, relayed concerns, encouraged restraint and worked to ensure calm heads prevailed. We were not there to inflame tensions. We were there to prevent them escalating.
“Those who were present know exactly how much work went on behind the scenes. There was constant engagement with officers, discussions around crowd management and efforts to ensure there was no physical interaction between opposing groups.
“Thankfully, what could have become a far more volatile situation, passed without serious incident. That did not happen by accident.
“It is therefore disappointing, though not surprising, to hear criticism from those who were nowhere to be seen when tensions were high.”
Jonathan Buckley DUP and Dianne Forsythe DUP were among representatives in Scarva during the Great March for Gaza counter-protest.(Image: PressEye)
She added: “Yesterday required calm heads, practical engagement and a willingness to take responsibility. Those of us who were present did exactly that. If you were not there you are not entitled to rewrite events or lecture those who were actually on the ground dealing with the reality of the situation.
“The abuse directed at me since yesterday has been disgraceful, but it will not silence me. It simply reinforces why it is important that people continue to speak up and represent the communities they serve.
“Yesterday I stood with my community. I engaged with the police. I am thankful this all passed off without incident. I do not condone any attacks on the police but I also do not condone police aggression. I worked alongside colleagues from across unionism and local community representatives to help ensure calm heads prevailed.”
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has backed Ms Lockhart, and described her, along with South Down MLA Diane Forsythe and Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley as “providing leadership”.
“I’ve stood on the ground in many riot situations,” he said in a post on social media site X.
“Most people commenting haven’t a clue what they’re talking about. Carla, Diane, Jonathan and our councillors were in Scarva doing the hard thing.
“They weren’t there for selfies or social media posts. They were there to provide leadership, keep calm heads and help ensure a difficult situation did not become a worse one.
“Those who were actually there know the role they played.”
South Down MP Chris Hazzard, of Sinn Fein, posted on the social media site X that his constituency “is a welcoming place defined by beautiful forests, mountains, and beaches – not masked intimidation”.
He added: “Next time you visit @carlalockhart you should look into what our constituency actually has to offer, rather than standing with masked men intimidating women & children”.
General view of PSNI at the Great March For Gaza in Scarva(Image: PressEye)
Ms Lockhart responded saying: “In the absence of their own MP I had to step in and ensure calm heads prevailed.”
She added a claim that the family of William Heenan, a man murdered by the Provisional IRA in 1985, “have tried to engage with you about the murder of their Dad. They haven’t found their MP so welcoming”.
Ms Long put to Ms Lockhart: “The crowd you were playing to were wearing masks and shouting abuse. You’ve yet to condemn it”.
Ms Hanna described images from Scarva as “bleak and disturbing”.
“Taunts at peaceful marchers, an MP surrounded by masked men in 2026,” she said.
“Political leaders who won’t condemn bullying and intimidation, wherever it comes from, won’t take society anywhere good.”
Meanwhile Ms Lockhart also hit back at criticism from Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood after she posted: “Standing in a crowd with people covering faces with masks or scarves whilst the crowd shout obscenities and abuse is not something we should be anywhere near, never mind in the middle of.
“We all have a role to play in providing positive leadership and this falls shockingly short of it.”
Ms Lockhart responded saying: “Playing to the crowd when you have none of the facts only serves as click bait. As an elected representative you should do better.”
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