DUP warns parade organisers cannot demonstrate support for rule of law with unlawful parades
The DUP has cautioned organisers of parades that it is ‘impossible to demonstrate support for the rule of law’ by organising unlawful processions.
The warning comes as a court case in Belfast today is expected to reveal the true level of threat from protestors on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown who blocked a landmark Orange parade on 27 September.
The issue has been hotly debated, with unionists reporting concerns that firearms and blast bombs may have been on hand - something nationalists have strongly challenged.
The DUP warning not to organise unlawful parades comes after the Parades Commission issued a surprise approval for Orangemen to complete their parade from Drumcree along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown on 27 September.
The parade had been banned since the late 1990s after it was linked to widespread violence, however police blocked the latest parade due to hundreds of protestors.
The Secretary of State later stepped in to ban the march, however Belfast High Court will today hear a challenge by a local Orangemen into the legality of the decision.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said that the hearing should unveil the true PSNI assessment of the level of threat from Garvaghy Road protestors – of that the Chief Constable will make a statement on the subject.
Concerns have been raised that ongoing tensions on the matter could cause widespread destabilisation.
Among unionists, some have argued that the outcome has called into question the authority and relevance of the Parades Commission.
Last week police launched investigations into six parades which had apparently gone ahead illegally without notifying the commission - on the Shankill Road in west Belfast, in Dunloy, on Tennent Street in north Belfast, in Bangor, in the Waterside area of Londonderry and in Newtownabbey.
But DUP policing Board spokesman Trevor Clarke has now urged organisers and participants of parades not to breach the law and to keep notifying the Parades Commission of their plans.
“We have been clear that everyone should be equal under the law and equally subject to the law," he told the News Letter.
"Those who blocked the Garvaghy Road were in breach of a legally binding determination from the Parades Commission, and they deserve to face the consequences for that.
"Portadown District have shown resilience and patience whilst abiding by the law. That is the example which should be followed. No-one should have their standards set by the law-breaking that was encouraged and participated in by Sinn Fein.
"It is impossible to demonstrate support for the rule of law whilst actively setting out to breach the law.”
Meanwhile Portadown Orange District has announced a new parade and rally for Portadown on Saturday 24 October. "We encourage the wider Unionist family to come out, stand together and show their support," it said.
At this time, the Parades Commission website does not show that it has been notified about the event.
Anyone taking part in an unlawful parade or protest can face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of £5000.
Cloughfern Young Conquerors Flute Band in Newtownabbey and The Young Citizen Volunteers Flute Band from the Shankill Road both say they are ceasing engagement with police and the Parades Commission, while Bangor Protestant Boys said are "reviewing our options carefully".