Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has announced a ban on the contentious Drumcree parade. The decision follows a nearly two-week standoff in Portadown between the Orange Order and nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road.
Mr Bryant stated that it had not been possible to find an accommodation between the two sides. He told PA Media that he had been trying to find a solution to the standoff, having spoken with both the Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order.
The Parades Commission had ruled two weeks ago that the march could proceed along the Garvaghy Road with restrictions. However, the parade from Drumcree church into Portadown did not take place due to a large protest on the road. Mr Bryant added that the Chief Constable of the PSNI had asked him to review the original determination, and he concluded that it was not in the public interest for the procession to proceed.