Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has strongly defended her presence at a counter-demonstration in Scarva after being photographed near individuals whose faces were covered, as political opponents at Stormont accused her of emboldening intimidation.

Several hundred people gathered in the County Down village on Saturday to oppose the Great March for Gaza, a 25-mile walk from Lurgan to Omeath organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Around 1,500 marchers passed along the Newry Canal towpath, where a Parades Commission determination barred them from entering Scarva, displaying flags or chanting. A separate condition permitted a 100-person protest by Scarva Concerned Residents on Scarva Bridge, but police blocked the bridge with armoured Land Rovers. Counter-protesters moved to an area near a housing development, close to the march route.

Water cannon, Tactical Support Group officers and evidence-gathering teams were deployed. The PSNI stated the operation was appropriate and proportionate. Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart criticised the blockade, saying it heightened tensions. She later said her intervention with police and protestors helped keep a volatile situation peaceful and prevented what she described as a potential bloodbath.

Photographs showed Ms Lockhart standing near masked individuals during the counter-protest. She rejected suggestions she had stood with a masked mob, calling the allegation utter rubbish. DUP leader Gavin Robinson said it was entirely appropriate for elected representatives to be present, and that Ms Lockhart, along with MLAs Diane Forsythe and Jonathan Buckley, had provided leadership and prevented disorder.

Sinn Fein South Down MP Chris Hazzard described his constituency as unwelcoming of masked intimidation and accused Ms Lockhart of acting as a political shield for thugs. SDLP leader Claire Hanna said the images were bleak and disturbing. Alliance leader Naomi Long said the Upper Bann MP had not condemned the masked crowd or the abuse. Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood said standing among masked individuals shouting obscenities fell short of positive leadership.

At Stormont, Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said the presence of masked men and the spreading of slurry were reminiscent of past civil rights era intimidation. SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole raised racist and sectarian abuse, the intimidation of journalists, and the MP's proximity to masked men. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said DUP representatives were on the ground de-escalating the situation, condemned thuggery and criminality without reservation, and accused others of political point-scoring. Sinn Fein MLA Sinead Ennis pressed her to explicitly condemn the masked individuals; Ms Little-Pengelly repeated her condemnation of criminality and said she would take no criticism of ambiguity.

DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley defended local residents as law-abiding and said the parade had included banners and chants with political connotations. He claimed that without intervention by unionist politicians, a riot could have broken out. Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said elected representatives should challenge supporters who engage in intimidation. TUV leader Jim Allister said unionist politicians had prevented worse violence and accused critics of hypocrisy. UUP councillors called for a full examination of the events and party leader Jon Burrows wrote to the Parades Commission and PSNI requesting meetings. Aontu deputy leader Gemma Brolly lodged a complaint with the Westminster Standards Commissioner over Ms Lockhart's conduct.

The National Union of Journalists expressed concern about intimidatory behaviour towards media covering the protest. March organisers said their event was peaceful and disciplined, and accused the counter-protest of breaching its determination. Police said any breaches of Parades Commission conditions would be investigated, and evidence gathered would be reviewed. The commission said it would consider all information for any future similar events.

Ms Lockhart also raised the 1985 murder of William Heenan, claiming South Down MP Chris Hazzard had not engaged with the victim's family.