DUP leader defends MP who attended Palestine solidarity counter-demonstration

MP 'stood with the community' says DUP leader after Lockhart comes under fire22 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleBrendan HarkinCarla Lockhart attended a counter-demonstration in Scarva against a Palestine solidarity walkIt was "entirely appropriate" for Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) politicians to be at a counter-demonstration against a Palestine solidarity walk at the weekend, the party leader has said.Gavin Robinson praised MP Carla Lockhart and others after she was pictured at a protest standing beside masked men. He also accused the PSNI of "blocking the ability of people to peacefully protest".Lockhart has rejected criticism after the pictures emerged on social media, saying she and 10 other politicians were there " to de-escalate" a "very volatile situation".It comes after Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard, who is the MP for the area, said Lockhart acted as a "political shield for thugs". Gavin Robinson said: "I don't believe anyone should be masked up"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."What did the march organisers say?The organisers of the march said it was "peaceful, dignified and disciplined throughout".The Great March for Gaza was organised by Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.About 1,500 pro-Palestine marchers walked along a canal towpath from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday morning.Organisers said a counter-protest in Scarva, County Down, was "racist, xenophobic, sectarian"."Our march was blocked and delayed for over 45 minutes while counter protesters shouted abuse at participants," a statement said.Organisers said marchers were also "forced to proceed through slurry spread on the road, creating an unnecessary hazard and a degrading experience for peaceful participants".They...