First minister rejects call to resign over Drumcree row

First Minister Michelle O'Neill has dismissed a call from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to resign over her role in protests against the Drumcree parade.

The Sinn Féin vice-president was branded the 'first minister of lawlessness' as unionists criticised the demonstrations on Garvaghy Road.

Police are investigating the unlawful protests which blocked an Orange Order march from passing along the mainly nationalist street in Portadown, County Armagh.

Facing questions in the Stormont assembly, O'Neill said she was 'proud' to stand with the residents and 'will continue to stand with them'.

She described the planned Orange march on 27 September as 'unwanted, sectarian and triumphalist'.

O'Neill returns to Garvaghy Road as police investigate Sunday's 'unlawful protest'.

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Michelle O'Neill was speaking in response to an urgent question from DUP MLA Phillip Brett.

He called on O'Neill to 'drop the bravado' and claimed she had shown 'utter contempt' for the ministerial pledge of office.

Brett continued: 'If you have been found to breach the ministerial code or the law, will you do the decent thing for once and resign as first minister? '

The first minister responded: 'Catch yourself on, would be where I would start with that one.

'I'm going to continue to turn up for the people of the Garvaghy Road.

'I'm proud to stand with them and I will continue to stand with them.