Frist Minister Michelle O’Neill has stated that ‘the days of treating people like second-class citizens are over’ and warned that there will be ‘no going back, not now, and not ever’ after the DUP announced Emma Little-Pengelly was withdrawing from joint engagements with her.

Sinn Féin vice president Miss O’Neill accused DUP leader Gavin Robinson of arrogance after the announcement.

“The comments of DUP leader Gavin Robinson today were arrogant and supremacist,” she said in a statement.

“The DUP is consumed with their own internal leadership troubles and divisions. They are in turmoil.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill meets with locals on the Garvaghy Road. Picture date: Wednesday September 30, 2026. PA Photo. The planned Orange Order parade on Sunday was stopped by police, who were concerned about the scale of a mass protest on part of the proposed route - the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road. Photo credit should read: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

placeholder image — First Minister Michelle O'Neill meets with locals on the Garvaghy Road. Picture date: Wednesday September 30, 2026. PA Photo. The planned Orange Order parade on Sunday was stopped by police, who were concerned about the scale of a mass protest on part of the proposed route - the predominantly nationalist Garvaghy Road. Photo credit should read: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

“The days of domination and supremacy are over. The days of treating people like second-class citizens are over. There will be no going back. Not now, and not ever.

“I, as First Minister, will be at the Assembly on Monday morning, along with Sinn Féin’s ministers, to continue our work. We will keep showing up every day for people.”

Earlier DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said the power-sharing government should not be taken for granted.

“The sustainability of the institutions should not be taken for granted, I and my colleagues have not and will not remove options that are at our disposal, but we will be responsible in the face of recklessness of the First Minister and others,” he said.

“Michelle O’Neill’s arrogance will have consequences for her and ultimately at a time whenever there could be an election in a number of weeks or number of months, the choice for people is clear – do they believe those in high office have a free rein to break the law? I don’t, the Democratic Unionist Party does not.

“And if this doesn’t provide the energy to galvanise those within the unionist community who are fed up with Sinn Féin’s arrogance, then nothing will.

“But, for our part, from a principled and determined place within unionism to protect Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom and to see good government for our people, we will continue to act responsibly and the Government needs to step up on sanctions and political consequences for the arrogant rule-breaking of Sinn Féin and their ministers.”