Verdict a victory for everyone’s human rights

Carla Lockhart MP • January 10, 2022

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the decision of the European Court announced last week in relation to the Asherscase is a victory for everyone who believes in human rights and freedom of speech and conscience.

Carla Lockhart said:


“Since 2014 this issue has been ongoing. That has been a testing time for the McArthur family, but at all times their faith and graciousness has shone through and they are to be commended for the stand they have taken. The Christian Institute and their legal teams are also to be commended for the support given to the family.


The decision by the European Court of Human Rights to unanimously throw out the appeal brought by lawyers on behalf of Gareth Lee is most welcome. The verdict of the UK Supreme Court stands, and as such the freedom of religious expression and speech is upheld for everyone. This protects people like the McArthurs, but it also protects every one of us from being forced to create something with a political slogan we fundamentally disagree with because of personal political or religious belief. 


All of us who value human rights will welcome this ruling. It enshrines religious freedom, but it also protects everyone’s freedom.”

Share

Lockhart Meets Southern Trust Leadership to “Lift the Lid” on Growing Domiciliary Care Pressures

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 20, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said urgent action is needed to address mounting pressures facing domiciliary care services after meeting with Southern Trust leadership alongside DUP colleagues Diane Dodds MLA, Diane Forsythe MLA and Gareth Wilson MLA, as well as Pauline Shepherd, Chief Executive of Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP), to discuss the challenges facing the sector. 

Lockhart Raises Serious Concerns Over Condition of Lurgan and Kernan Cemeteries

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 20, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has raised serious concerns regarding the condition of both Lurgan and Kernan Cemeteries following a growing number of complaints from residents and families.

Lockhart Reaffirms Opposition to Digital ID “Voluntary Does Not Cut It”

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 20, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has reaffirmed her opposition to Digital ID, warning that proposals being advanced by Government raise serious concerns around privacy, personal freedom and individual choice.

Lockhart Says Government “Still Not Listening” After King’s Speech Debate

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 20, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has launched a scathing assessment of the Government following debate on the King’s Speech, accusing Ministers of being “completely out of touch” and failing to grasp the issues causing deep frustration among ordinary people.

Lockhart Praises Community Spirit at Local Coffee Morning Fundraisers

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 20, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has praised the generosity and community spirit on display after attending two local coffee morning fundraisers supporting important causes across the area.

Delayed funding and post-Brexit barriers undermining native woodland in NI

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 13, 2026
Carla Lockhart MP has called for urgent clarity and action from the Stormont Executive over the future of forestry support schemes, warning that unnecessary delays and post-Brexit trading barriers are undermining efforts to expand native woodland planting across Northern Ireland.

𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 13, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has responded to the Government’s proposed legislative programme outlined in the King’s Speech, describing it as “underwhelming, tone deaf and disconnected from the concerns of ordinary people across the United Kingdom.”

Lockhart hits out at PETA stunt and says future of farming is definitely not vegan

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 12, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has hit out a PETA billboard erected in Lisburn ahead of this week’s Balmoral Show, describing it as another deeply misleading and insulting attack on Northern Ireland’s farming community.

Increased prices for wool is a positive boost for farmers

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 7, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed news that wool prices have hit a 10-year high.

Lockhart questions motive behind environment watchdog’s NAP review

By Carla Lockhart MP • May 7, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has questioned the timing and motive of the NAP (2019) review carried out by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), warning that it risks ‘stoking the fire’ rather than delivering meaningful progress.