Portadown Orangemen report Sinn Fein leaders to the police as brethren from Belfast pledge support

Meanwhile a statement from Belfast’s Orangemen has pledged support for their brethren in Portadown’s efforts to continue the parade.

It all comes amid accusations that politicians including top Sinn Fein figures broke the law by attending a protest on the Garvaghy Road, which frustrated the efforts of the 35 marchers to complete their silent parade at 8am on Sunday.

The PSNI has told the News Letter this afternoon it is continuing to gather evidence.

In a statement, Portadown District said it had reported Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill to the PSNI on suspicion of offences.

"The rule of law has been hugely damaged, and faith in the law continues to erode as the PSNI continue to facilitate an unlawful mob thumbing their nose at the legal determination and our courts,” it said.

"The impact of this cannot be underestimated.

"As a society, we must all be governed by the same law, and expect our rights under it to be vindicated.

"Ours have been denied, and despite having used the law and obtaining a clear determination in our favour, the message being sent now is that this counts for nothing, and instead it is those who break the law who are rewarded and prevail.

"If this persists then in general, the rule of law collapses but in particular parading regulation collapses as any group, on any side, will know all they must do to override the Parades Commission is to put a mob on the street and the chief constable will wilt.

"This is why two things are essential: firstly, the determination is upheld. The rule of law demands it.

"Secondly, the lawbreakers are dealt with as a matter of urgency.

"This cannot be delayed, as to do so continues to incentivise illegality.”

This has been followed by a statement from the County Grand Lodge of Belfast, saying that the County Grand Master Spencer Beattie had been to visit the Orangemen camped out at Drumcree Parish Church.

"We commend the brethren for their dignity, patience and unwavering commitment to completing their lawful and traditional parade,” said the Belfast statement.

"The position of the County Grand Lodge is clear: there is a lawful Parades Commission determination in place.

"This has been upheld by the courts.

"It is now for the PSNI to uphold the rule of law and facilitate the completion of the return home.

"Continued failure to implement a lawful determination risks even further undermining confidence in policing, which is already at an all-time low.

"We are also deeply concerned by the scenes witnessed outside Belfast High Court [a reference to the hostile crowd which confronted Jamie Bryson, Diane Dodds and Carla Lockhart on Saturday] and on the Garvaghy Road.

"Those responsible for unlawful behaviour must be held accountable, regardless of their position or political affiliation.

"The sight of elected representatives standing alongside those seeking to prevent the completion of a lawful parade is deeply disappointing, but sadly not surprising.

"The Orange Institution has witnessed similar scenes in Belfast and elsewhere where organised opposition and political involvement have repeatedly been used to challenge the lawful expression of Orange and unionist culture.”

Sinn Fein has not responded directly to the Portadown district’s statement, at time of writing.

In response, the PSNI issued a statement to the News Letter in the name of assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson, saying: “Our significant public safety operation remains in place on the Garvaghy Road.

"Overnight we have continued to engage and assess how best to balance the rights of all parties.

“We will continue to explore and keep under review a range of tactical options to safely bring this matter to a conclusion and keep the peace.

“Our dedicated enquiry team are continuing to review evidence gathered to ensure an effective criminal justice strategy.”