Drumcree row: Government's stance on Parades Commission controversy 'contradictory and incoherent'

The government’s position of giving its “full backing” to the current Parades Commission, whilst also setting up an independent review into its activities is “contradictory and incoherent” according to a DUP MLA.

The Northern Ireland secretary gave his support to the five remaining commissioners on Tuesday, after they came under fire from a High Court judge over how they have handled the attempts by Orangemen to walk down the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.

placeholder image — Jonathan Buckley MLA has said the government's stance on the Parades Commission is contradictory. Pic: Monday August 10, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley has written to Sir Chris Bryant, saying that his “two positions are impossible to reconcile”.

The DUP politician said: “If the concerns surrounding the Commission's conduct and decision-making are sufficiently serious to warrant an independent judge-led review, how can you then conclude that the very individuals whose actions are under scrutiny deserve your full confidence? The public will rightly see this as contradictory and incoherent.

"The issue is particularly acute in relation to Drumcree. The High Court's findings have exposed serious flaws in the Commission's approach. Decisions were reached on the basis of predetermined positions rather than an objective and impartial assessment of the live application before it.

“Furthermore, claims regarding mediation appear to have been accepted without proper challenge or scrutiny at the time. These are not minor procedural shortcomings. They go to the heart of whether applicants can have confidence that they will receive a fair hearing.

“Against that backdrop, I struggle to understand how anyone could reasonably believe that the current commissioners can continue to adjudicate on future Drumcree applications in a fair, balanced and impartial manner.

“The question is straightforward: why should applicants have confidence in a process administered by commissioners who have already been found wanting in their handling of previous determinations relating to the same dispute?

“Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. Yet your decision leaves the public in the extraordinary position of being asked to trust commissioners whose judgment, procedures and decision-making are now the subject of an independent review”.

Sir Chris said on Tuesday that the independent review “will strengthen the commission’s immediate and future work. In the meantime, the current commissioners have my full backing.

“It is in the public interest that they continue their critical functions as we work together to restore public trust in this vital institution…” he said.