Statement by TUV party chairman Keith Ratcliffe:
“As I warned in advance, Saturday’s anti-Israeli parade through Scarva was deeply provocative, entirely unnecessary, and now, sadly, has led to the very outcome many of us feared – disorder on our streets and arrests in our community.
“I formally objected to this parade to the Parades Commission and raised serious concerns both in writing and in a telephone call to the police. I made it crystal clear to the Parades Commission that Scarva, a quiet, close-knit Unionist village with deep ties of sympathy and support for Israel, was no place for Palestinian flags and associated political messaging on a Saturday morning.
“And yet, the parade was allowed to proceed unchecked – no conditions, no restrictions and no serious engagement with local concerns. The Commission was warned. The PSNI was informed. And now we have witnessed precisely the breakdown in community relations that this parade was always going to cause.
“Scarva is not a canvas for political performance. Residents here should not be subjected to displays that are knowingly inflammatory. People have a right to go about their daily lives without being dragged into conflict they did not ask for and do not support.
“Let me be clear: this situation was entirely avoidable. The blame lies squarely with those who organised this needlessly provocative display, and with the Parades Commission, who failed in their duty to prevent disorder and protect community cohesion.“