Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has asked people to remain calm during the coming days and to ensure that everyone at all times acts in a lawful, peaceful and respectful manner.

Mr Swann, who is the Party’s Chief Whip in the Assembly, said:

“I would like to re-iterate the importance of remaining lawful, peaceful and respectful.

“The Unionist parties withdrew from the talks process last week because of a refusal by other parties in those talks to discuss upcoming contentious parades and protests, including the Ardoyne Twelfth parade. This was no knee-jerk reaction.

“My Party Leader Mike Nesbitt raised the issue of contentious parades and protests at the meeting of the party leaders five weeks ago and last week we sought to raise it during the talks.

“In the past republicans used the slogan “no talk, no walk.” Now it appears they don’t want to talk full stop.

“It is essential that people remain calm and do not do anything to exacerbate the situation. I say again, all actions must be lawful, peaceful and respectful, so as not to detract from the very genuine grievance which we are seeking to highlight and remedy.

"Those who care for the Union must understand that violence will simply undermine a just cause and therefore cannot be tolerated.

“I would also like to address an issue in my own North Antrim constituency, where a Union Flag has been erected within the grounds of the church of Our Lady & St John the Evangelist in the village of Dervock. All places of worship of whatever denomination are entitled to be shown respect, and by entering the grounds of this Church to erect a flag, those responsible are showing a lack of respect for both the Church and for the Union Flag itself. It should be removed.”