MP rejects criticism for standing near masked men in Scarva

A DUP MP has rejected criticism of her after she was pictured at a protest standing near masked men.

Carla Lockhart was attending a counter-demonstration in Scarva against a Palestine solidarity walk.

Around 1,500 pro-Palestine marchers walked along a canal towpath from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday morning. The towpath runs alongside the County Down village.

Politicians from a number of political parties have condemned Lockhart after she was pictured standing alongside masked men.

In a social media post on Sunday, the Upper Bann MP said she "will never apologise for standing with my community".

She said she was on the ground to prevent "tensions escalating" and the protests passed without serious incident and "that did not happen by accident".

Lockhart wrote that she was in Scarva alongside other unionist representatives and 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," she said.

"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 SDLP leader Claire Hanna described the images from Scarva "as bleak and disturbing".

"Taunts at peaceful marchers, an MP surrounded by masked men in 2026. Political leaders who won't condemn bullying and intimidation, wherever it comes from, won't take society anywhere good," she added.

Scarva is in the South Down constituency.

The local MP Chris Hazzard from Sinn Féin described the constituency as "a welcoming place defined by beautiful forests, mountains, and beaches - not masked intimidation".

Writing on X, he challenged Lockhart to look into what the area has to offer "rather than standing with masked men intimidating women & children".

Alliance party deputy leader Eóin Tennyson said Upper Bann "deserved better leadership".

"MPs should be challenging intimidation and sectarianism wherever it appears, not standing with masked men while vile abuse is hurled," he said.

Northern Ireland's Justice Minster Naomi Long accused Lockhart of playing to a crowd who were wearing masks and shouting abuse.

She urged the DUP MP to "do better".

In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, Lockhart wrote that she was in Scarva alongside other unionist representatives and 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," she said.

"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.

"Leadership is not measured by the number of social media posts you publish after an event. It is measured by whether you are prepared to show up when tensions are high, communities are concerned and difficult decisions need to be made."

She also directly responded to the criticism levelled at her from Sinn Féin & Alliance MPs.

"Sorcha Eastwood has been quick to offer criticism. That's hardly surprising. Playing to the gallery when you're sitting at home is easy. It's the Alliance way. The hypocrisy of the absentee MP Chris Hazzard is particularly ironic. His office is named after two terrorists.

"The abuse directed at me since yesterday [Saturday] 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."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "An appropriate and proportionate policing operation was implemented to maintain public safety during a notified parade and protest."

The Parades Commission gave permission for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign march with conditions, as well as a counter protest.