Statement by TUV Cusher councillor Keith Ratcliffe:
“The decision of the PPS to issue belated summonses to several bandsmen in Markethill for taking part in a parade in the town opposing the Protocol will leave many questioning the independence of both the prosecution service and the police. We can all remember how the PSNI were happy to excuse and facilitate the IRA takeover of Belfast’s streets for the funeral of Bobby Storey while many other families had to forego even modest funerals for their loved ones because of Covid restrictions. Yet the PPS and PSNI go after loyalists over a parade in a strongly loyalist town.
“The reputation of the PSNI is already at rock-bottom and the developments in Markethill will only reinforce the impression that policing operates on a two-tiered basis.”