Brief
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant faces criticism after halting Drumcree parade
Unionist politicians say the decision undermines the rule of law and could lead to political fallout.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Sir Chris Bryant, the Northern Ireland Secretary, has been accused of “disgraceful appeasement” after intervening to stop an Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road, according to a report by the Standard.
The Parades Commission had allowed the Drumcree parade to proceed along Garvaghy Road for the first time in almost 30 years, sparking a two‑week standoff. Police blocked the march, citing the risk of serious injury and disorder, and a legal challenge to the Commission’s decision is set for Monday.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson demanded that the decision‑making process be made public, questioning whether the Secretary of State had “bent the knee of the rule of law in the threat of terror and violence”. He told BBC Northern Ireland’s Sunday Politics programme that the Friday intervention was “disgraceful appeasement to threats of violence and disorder”. Robinson added that the powers used by Bryant had never been employed during the worst days of the Troubles.
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said the situation “cannot be business as usual” after First Minister Michelle O’Neill received a police letter inviting her to a voluntary interview about protests on Garvaghy Road. Lockhart warned that Sinn Féin could be removed as First Minister and urged her party to use all available means to address the issue.
Robinson indicated he is not inclined to bring down Stormont, but he expressed doubt that doing so would improve the situation and said he would not want to hand power to Sir Chris Bryant.
Police are conducting a large‑scale criminal investigation into possible breaches of the law during the 12‑day stand‑off. Several Sinn Féin members, including First Minister O’Neill, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll have also been asked to attend voluntary interviews as part of the probe.
Sir Chris Bryant defended his intervention, saying it was in the best interests of peace and that he had been advised by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher that allowing the parade could lead to serious injury, disorder and wider unrest.
Key facts
- Sir Chris Bryant halted the Drumcree Orange Order parade on Garvaghy Road after the Parades Commission approved it. (standard.co.uk)
- DUP leader Gavin Robinson called the decision “disgraceful appeasement” and demanded public disclosure of the decision‑making process. (standard.co.uk)
- Police are conducting a large‑scale criminal investigation into potential law breaches during the 12‑day stand‑off. (standard.co.uk)
- First Minister Michelle O’Neill received a police invitation to a voluntary interview about protests on Garvaghy Road. (standard.co.uk)
- PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher advised Bryant that allowing the parade could cause serious injury and disorder. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Bryant accused of ‘disgraceful appeasement’ by stopping parade”
