Burnham urges calm amid tensions in Northern Ireland over Orange Order parade

Thousands of protesters blocked the Garvaghy Road in Portadown in a bid to prevent the parade of Orangemen passing, following an overnight court ruling in Belfast which said the march could go ahead.

The Drumcree parade, which was associated with violent clashes during the Troubles, has been banned since 1998.

Amid the community tensions, the Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg there have been “big gains made in Northern Ireland, and we don’t want to see things go backwards”.

“I know it’s a tense situation. We do appeal for calm on all sides,” he told the programme.

A member of the Orange Order outside Drumcree Parochial Hall in Portadown (Peter Morrison/PA)

PA Wire

The Prime Minister added: “So, obviously, a challenging situation today, but it’s very important that we work to bring calm.”

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant meanwhile said he was cutting his time at Labour’s party conference in Liverpool short to travel to Belfast and speak directly with leaders there.

Sir Chris also told the BBC he wished “we weren’t in this position”, adding: “I know lots of people will be watching this very, very closely, including people who have long memories of things that happened 30 years ago, and people will be very nervous and anxious.

“So the number one thing I think is people should co-operate with the police. I want everything to pass off as calmly as is possible.

“I’m speaking to the police obviously on a regular basis throughout the day, and was last night as well, and so is my team.”

First Minister Michelle O’Neill (centre left) and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald (centre) at the Garvaghy Road ahead of a Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge (LOL) No 1 march (Peter Morrison?PA)

PA Wire

First minister of Northern Ireland, and Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill said the reignition of the Drumcree dispute “brings into question how this whole peace process works”.

She spoke from the Garvaghy Road alongside protesters who had gathered to block the parade.

Ms O’Neill added: “The progress of the last 28 years have been brought into question by the actions of the Orange Order and those within political unionism that want to drag us backwards, and I think that brings into question – you heard it here today.

“You heard it about the people’s view of Stormont. You heard it about the terms of politics working for them, and you hear it here time and time again and we’ve certainly heard it over the last 24 hours.

“What’s the point? What’s the point whenever people are going to railroad over their rights?

“Whenever they’re going to try to roll back in 28 years of progress?”

Police at Drumcree Church in Portadown (Peter Morrison/PA)

PA Wire

DUP leader Gavin Robinson meanwhile said Ms O’Neill should “uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them”.

Mr Robinson said: “The legal position is now unequivocal. Thirty-five Orangemen can walk in silence along Garvaghy Road. The Court of Appeal found that the injunction had been granted in error, and the High Court subsequently confirmed that the Parades Commission determination must be respected.”

He added: “A First Minister’s duty is to uphold lawful decisions, not inflame opposition to them. The rule of law cannot apply only when Sinn Féin likes the outcome. Our institutions are founded on respect for the police, the courts and the rule of law.

“The Orangemen of Portadown have conducted themselves with dignity and respect for the rule of law for 28 years and once again have demonstrated their maturity today.”