People “led by mob rule” are trying to “upend a lawful decision by the courts”, a DUP MLA said as the Garvaghy Road protest continued

Jonathan Buckley spoke after a small group of Orangemen were stopped from carrying out their heavily restricted 8am march along the Portadown street, despite a legal ruling that it could go ahead.

Nationalist leaders including First Minister Michelle O’Neill were at the scene of the large protest to back those blocking the road, while the PSNI repeatedly called on the crowd to disperse.

Mr Buckley stated that for the last 28 years when marches were blocked by the Parades Commission, Sinn Fein and the Garvaghy Road residents had demanded Orangemen to “abide by the law and respect the determination”.

He added: “For the past 28 years, they have done just that.

"I ask the question of [residents’ group leader] Breandan Mac Cionnaith, of Mary Lou McDonald, of Michelle O’Neill – what has changed?”