Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has announced that the disputed Drumcree parade cannot proceed as originally authorised, following a police warning about the potential for serious violence.
The intervention comes after almost two weeks of deadlock in Portadown between members of the Orange Order and nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road.
Police concerns prompt intervention
The PSNI warned that allowing the procession to go ahead would create an “unacceptable risk” of serious injury and disorder, with the potential for violence to spread beyond Portadown to other parts of Northern Ireland.
Sir Chris said proceeding with the parade was “not in the public interest” and called for all protests and demonstrations linked to the dispute to end.
His announcement follows a request from PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher for a review of the Parades Commission’s determination.
Almost two weeks of deadlock
The commission had authorised a restricted Orange Order procession along the Garvaghy Road. However, the march did not take place after protesters gathered on the route, leaving Orangemen and residents locked in a prolonged stand-off.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to a route that has long been a flashpoint in Northern Ireland. Residents opposed the procession passing through their community, while the Orange Order sought to proceed under the permission it had received.
Sir Chris’s intervention means the procession cannot now go ahead on the basis originally approved. His accompanying appeal calls on those involved in the demonstrations to bring their protests to an end.
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