Commenting on today’s decision by the Parades Commission to impose restrictions on the Tour of the North parade TUV Court councillor Jolene Bunting said:
“I am disappointed by today’s determination by the Parades Commission.
“Yesterday the Orange Order displayed a willingness to accommodate concerns with their unilateral announcement that only hymns would be played when passing St Patrick’s Church. Today’s decision to ban the playing of any music outside the Church has failed to recognise the good will displayed by the Order and has simply heightened tensions.
“Last year this parade saw Sinn Fein/IRA’s Gerry Kelly break the law by clinging to the front of a police land rover. Yet once again it is the Loyalist community who are being punished by the Commission.
“The Tour of the North parade is a traditional event which is enjoyed by thousands of people and today’s decision has caused understandable anger within the Unionist community.
“However, it is important that the Parades Commission is replaced by a body which can command confidence rather than Unionists rushing to replace it with another quango which would amount to a Parades Commission Mark II. Any new system should have a presumption in favour of traditional routes.”