A Dungannon councillor has called for First Minister Michelle O'Neill to be removed from office, saying there must be political accountability over the handling of an Orange parade.

Mid Ulster District Councillor Clement Cuthbertson, who represents the Dungannon area, said he stood behind Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart and other DUP colleagues who have demanded Ms O'Neill leave her post.

In a statement, Cuthbertson said there was no room for lawbreakers in an Executive whose primary responsibility is to make and uphold the law. He said the rule of law must apply equally to everyone regardless of political position.

Cuthbertson said the issue went beyond the parade itself and concerned respect for court decisions and the principle that nobody is above the law. He referenced previous commitments that the situation could not continue as normal and said those words must now be matched by actions.

While he stressed he did not want ordinary people punished through disruption of public services, he said political accountability was required. He supported the call for Ms O'Neill to be removed from the office of First Minister while allowing the Assembly and other ministers to continue their work.

Cuthbertson concluded that principles mean little if not stood by when it matters most.