Legal challenge launched against Chris Bryant decision on Drumcree parade

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant faces a legal challenge over his decision to ban an Orange Order march along Garvaghy Road in Portadown, according to irishexaminer.com, The Independent, BreakingNews.ie, and LBC. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Mr Bryant intervened to stop the contentious parade following a standoff in the town that lasted almost two weeks. [1][2][5][6][9][10]

irishexaminer.com reported that Mr Bryant stated he took the action in the best interests of peace. He added that Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher advised him that allowing the procession to proceed could cause serious injury, disorder, and wider unrest. As FTMQ News previously noted, Chief Constable Boutcher had asked Mr Bryant to review the original determination. [1][10]

The intervention followed a decision by the Parades Commission to permit the Drumcree parade on its traditional route for the first time in 28 years, irishexaminer.com reported. Belfast News Letter reported that critics accused Mr Bryant of disgraceful appeasement after he stopped the march. FTMQ News previously reported that the Orange Order accused the Northern Ireland Secretary of capitulating to the threat of mob rule and sought urgent meetings with him and the police chief. [1][4][9]