Drumcree: Parades Commission issues are ‘far from resolved’, DUP leader says

The leader of the DUP has said the issues surrounding the Parades Commission are “far from resolved”, after one of the commissioners resigned over the handling of its ruling on the Orange Order’s Drumcree parade.

The commission has until the end of the day to write to Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant, to ensure him that their decision making processes are fair.

The commission has been asked to come up with a credible plan to enhance public confidence across all communities after a court case highlighted mistakes over the commission’s ruling on the annual Drumcree parade.

Gavin Robinson has said Sir Chris has a responsibility to look at whether he has confidence in the parade commissioners.

One member of the Commission, Billy Gamble, who had faced the most public criticism over private comments he is alleged to have made about the parade determination, resigned on Wednesday.

“I think it was right that he did so, but the issues are far from resolved,” Robinson told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster on Friday.

The DUP leader said he will “will await with interest to see how it is these parade commissioners believe they are going to restore confidence”.

“They have shattered it, they are the ones that have failed to abide by their statutory obligations,” he said.

“The secretary of state still has a responsibility to look at whether he has confidence, not whether Parades Commission has confidence with me or the unionist community, but whether he has confidence that these individuals he is paying for have the ability to do their job and there are huge question marks around that,” Robinson said.

He said there needs to be a review of the legislation governing the Parades Commission.