Carla Lockhart Rejects Scarva Criticism After 1,500 March
carla lockhart rejected criticism on Sunday after being pictured at a Scarva counter-demonstration near masked men. She said she was there to prevent tensions escalating during a protest against a Palestine solidarity walk.
Lockhart said she would “never apologise for standing with my community” and added that “that did not happen by accident.” Around 1,500 pro-Palestine marchers had walked along a canal towpath from Lurgan to Newry on Saturday morning.
Scarva protest response
The DUP MP for Upper Bann said on social media that she was in Scarva with other unionist representatives and community leaders. She said they engaged with senior police officers, relayed concerns, encouraged restraint and worked to ensure calm heads prevailed.
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.”
Criticism from party leaders
Photographs from the event drew condemnation from politicians from a number of political parties. Claire Hanna described the images from Scarva as “bleak and disturbing” and wrote: “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.”
Chris Hazzard called Scarva “a welcoming place defined by beautiful forests, mountains, and beaches - not masked intimidation” and challenged Lockhart to look into what the area has to offer rather than standing with masked men intimidating women & children.
Eóin Tennyson said Upper Bann deserved better leadership and added that MPs should be challenging intimidation and sectarianism wherever it appears, not standing with masked men while vile abuse is hurled. Naomi Long said Lockhart was “playing to a crowd who were wearing masks and shouting abuse.”
Lockhart and Scarva
The dispute centres on what happened at a gathering linked to the Palestine solidarity walk and how elected representatives responded once the photographs spread on social media. Lockhart said the people present were not there to inflame tensions, and that those who were present did exactly that.
For residents watching the fallout, the immediate issue is how political leaders handle protests near Scarva without adding to the pressure themselves. Lockhart’s account now sits against cross-party criticism and the images that prompted it.
