The head of the Orange Order in Portadown has called for the resignation of Parades Commission chair Evelyn Collins after a High Court ruling overturned restrictions on the Drumcree march.
Portadown District Master Nigel Dawson said Ms Collins’ position was “untenable” following the judgment, which quashed a Parades Commission decision to impose restrictions on the Orange Order parade at Drumcree. The march had been blocked every year since 1998.
The ruling has intensified criticism of the Parades Commission from unionist politicians and Orange Order branches across Northern Ireland. The High Court judge cited “huge errors” in the commission’s decision-making process.
Call for resignation
Ms Collins has rejected calls for the commissioners to step down. Following the judgment, she said the commission remained committed to carrying out its legal responsibilities, completing its terms of office and addressing the problems identified by the court.
She also said the commissioners accepted the criticisms made against them and accepted the judge’s ruling.
Mr Dawson said he had listened to Ms Collins’ comments with disbelief. He argued that she should accept responsibility for the commission’s handling of the matter, pointing to the fact that she had been paid from public funds.
The dispute centres on the long-running controversy around the Orange Order’s proposed route from Drumcree Church towards the barricade on the Garvaghy Road. The source article includes an archive image of Orangemen marching from Drumcree Church towards the barricade in 1998.
Meeting requested with Secretary of State
The Portadown Orange Order has asked to meet the Secretary of State to discuss the commission’s future. Mr Dawson said the Secretary of State had ultimate responsibility for the commission’s day-to-day operation and its oversight.
He said the organisation wanted to pursue the issue through that meeting, arguing that the commissioners no longer commanded the confidence of the loyal orders or the wider unionist community.
Mr Dawson also questioned whether Ms Collins could make future determinations without bias, referring to what he described as her admission earlier that day.
The High Court decision and the response from the Portadown Orange Order have placed the Parades Commission under renewed pressure. Ms Collins’ position, however, is that the commissioners will remain in office, complete their terms and work to correct the failures identified by the court.