UK government stops the Drumcree procession after failed talks
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant stopped the Portadown Orange Order procession from using its previously approved route after police warned of serious injury and wider disorder. Two weeks of negotiations with the lodge and Garvaghy Road residents failed to produce agreement. The government intervention changes the position from conditional permission and a blocked march to an order preventing the procession.
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Government prevents the previously permitted procession
The British government intervened on October 9 to prevent the Drumcree procession from proceeding on the route previously permitted in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Secretary of State Chris Bryant acted after a police application and unsuccessful efforts to settle the dispute locally. The decision concerns the procession by the local Orange Order lodge, whose members had been in a stand-off with Garvaghy Road residents. The Orange Order is the Protestant organisation taking part in the contested march.[1], [2]
The Parades Commission had given the procession conditional permission to use the road. A protest on the route prevented the march from taking place. Bryant acknowledged that the lodge had held a lawful determination permitting the procession. His intervention changes that position: the procession cannot proceed as originally determined.[1], [2]
Police warn of serious injury and wider disorder
Jon Boutcher, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, advised that facilitating the march would require a major police intervention. He warned of unacceptable risks of serious injury, disorder and unrest spreading elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Bryant reviewed the commission’s September 27 determination after the application under Section 9 of the Public Processions Act and consulted both the police chief and the commission. The government announcement says an order was made under Section 11.[1]
In light of the police assessment, the commission considered that its original determination no longer had enduring legal effect. It acknowledged that the courts would ultimately decide that legal issue. Bryant said the circumstances had changed considerably and based his intervention on public interest and safety.[1]
Two weeks of talks end without local agreement
Bryant had spent two weeks trying to reach a mutually acceptable agreement between the Portadown lodge and residents. Several rounds of talks were held at Hillsborough Castle, followed by continued contact with both sides. Those efforts failed to secure a local resolution. He thanked lodge members for peaceful conduct and cooperation with police, called for protests and rallies to stand down, and said community relations would take time to rebuild. He pledged further work with the community over the coming weeks and months.[1]
