Labour minister bans controversial Orange Order parade after nationalist pressure

He had been under growing pressure to act after a standoff between the two sides that has lasted almost two weeks.

Sinn Féin and the SDLP welcomed his decision, but DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he now needs to "explain what his Government intends to do to restore confidence in the rule of law".

Announcing his decision, Sir Chris said: "Everybody will have seen over the last two weeks that there’s been a major standoff and a difficult situation in Drumcree and Portadown. I’ve been trying to find a solution to that standoff.

“I’ve had both sides of the argument, both the Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order in.

"We’ve been talking it through, trying to find a solution, and unfortunately, we’ve not been able to do that.

"I’ve looked at the changing situation in Portadown, the fact that it’s very difficult for that procession to proceed, and I’ve decided that it’s not in the public interest for it to proceed, and I’ve therefore banned the procession."

Garvaghy Road residents had strongly opposed the parade proceeding through their area.

The road, located in a predominantly nationalist part of Portadown, became one of the most infamous flashpoints of the Troubles era.

Throughout the 1990s, the annual Drumcree parade triggered violent confrontations and political crises that demanded large-scale security operations across multiple summers.

Several people lost their lives in connection with the dispute during that time.

Nationalist protesters managed to stop the historic Orange Order parade from going ahead

PA

The Parades Commission had previously blocked the Orange Order from completing its traditional route along the road every July since 1998.

However, the Commission ruled two weeks ago that the march could pass along the road in Co Armagh with restrictions in place.

But the parade did not happen because of a large protest on the route.

Now, after two weeks of standoffs, Sir Chris has confirmed that the two sides could not reach a compromise.

Sir Chris's decision was met with cheers at the Drumcree Community Centre on the Garvaghy Road on Friday night.

In a joint statement, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O’Neill said: "Today belongs to the residents of the Garvaghy Road, who have shown remarkable strength and dignity in the face of provocation and intimidation.

"There will be an enormous sense of relief within the community this evening.

"For two weeks, local residents have endured fear and anxiety through no fault of their own. They never asked for this wound to be reopened, yet they faced these challenges with courage, determination and enormous resilience. They now need time and space to heal and recover."

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomed the decision

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However, the DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the rule of law in Northern Ireland had been "fatally undermined".

He said: "The decision of the Chief Constable to refer the matter to the Secretary of State and his conclusion that the parade cannot proceed is a direct result of republican agitation, mobilisation and the looming threats of potential violence.

"These decisions are a mistake, and send profound signals that the country should be run on force of numbers and who shouts the loudest.

"The framework for both parading and protests now lies in tatters and the rule of law has been fundamentally undermined."

Mr Robinson added: “The Secretary of State is going to have to explain what his Government intends to do to restore confidence in the rule of law.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was glad Garvaghy Road residents had closure.

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Breandán Mac Cionnaith from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition said rerouting the parade away from the road was the only "sensible, reasonable and logical outcome".

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was glad Garvaghy Road residents had closure.

He said: "I want to acknowledge also that the Secretary of State’s decision will be a disappointment to some, including members of the Portadown Lodge and others.

"The events of the past two weeks have been a stark reminder of the essential work of reconciliation. My focus in the time ahead will be to redouble efforts to build understanding and consensus across communities and political traditions around a shared future for all who live on this island.

"I encourage and welcome the participation of all political and community leaders in this work."