Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows has urged against escalating the Drumcree dispute to other parades across Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant stepped in to ban the Orange Order parade in Portadown from returning along its traditional route on the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road after police were unable to facilitate it.
Crowds of protesters had turned out in opposition to the parade, which was given the green light for the first time in almost 30 years.
Police investigation and accountability
Police are currently investigating potential law breaking in terms of the Parades Commission determination that the return Drumcree parade should travel along the Garvaghy Road with conditions.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill is among a number of Sinn Féin and People Before Profit representatives to be invited by police for interview.
Sinn Féin ministers were the focus of unsuccessful no confidence motions in the Assembly on Monday evening backed by unionists.
Appeal for lawful conduct
Mr Burrows called for continued compliance with the law, and for the Drumcree parade dispute to be confined to Drumcree.
“I have heard people on both sides saying ‘bring it on’ to expand parade disputes right across Northern Ireland, that is absolute folly for everyone in Northern Ireland, as well as those who are part of the parading community,” he told MLAs at Stormont during Members Statements on Tuesday.
“Unionism has to strategise its way through these issues, and that’s got to be looking beyond the next angry speech or confrontation.
“I would appeal to the PUL community, particularly those who do parade, from the Orange Order to our bands not to succumb to the temptation to take part in unnotified processions.
“I would appeal to them to do the right thing, to obey the law, and I’d also say to them that I’ve seen the real-life consequences for people who do these things.
“They often come in and see you months or years later when they have a criminal record, when their credit history is affected, when they’ve been disciplined with their work, when they can’t access work, or when they cannot go on a family holiday to America because of a conviction that they got for doing something illegal.
“There has to be, of course, accountability for those who broke the law, but I would appeal to those in the unionist community, stay lawful and allow us to deal with the political and legal accountability.”
Meetings and next steps
Mr Burrows said he will be meeting with both Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, and the Public Prosecution Service to address concerns raised.
“But I would say to the unionist community, let us get back on the front foot in promoting Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom … let’s focus on making Northern Ireland work for everyone, bringing accountability for those who have done wrong in this particular issue, and I appeal to everybody not to escalate a dispute in Portadown to other parades across Northern Ireland,” he said.
