Orange Order calls for Villiers meeting

Calls have been made by the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Harold Henning, for a meeting with the Secretary of State Theresa Villiers over the parading impasse.

Speaking from the Woodvale Road on Saturday, where the Ligoniel lodges have maintained a protest at Twaddell Avenue since July 2013, Mr Henning said “this very protest is a public manifestation of the genuine concerns of the Orange fraternity, as we seek to protect and preserve our proud cultural heritage and traditions”.

placeholder image — Harold Henning addresses Orangemen and supporters at the weekly Woodvale Road protest in support of the Ligoniel lodges

“With this in mind, the Grand Lodge will be seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, to register yet again our discontentment with this unacceptable situation.”

He added: “Ms Villiers is currently a leading voice in arguing the UK should walk away from Europe – however, she has failed miserably when it comes to the legitimate right of our Ligoniel brethren and bands to walk home.”