North Belfast Ulster Unionist spokesperson Robert Foster has hit out following a Parades Commission decision to re-route two Orange lodges away from Belfast’s Springfield Road on the morning of the Twelfth of July.
Robert Foster said:
“Once again the Parades Commission has arrived at a determination that defies logic and is completely unfair.
“The two Whiterock and West Belfast lodges have traditionally processed along the Springfield Road and turned through the Workman Avenue gates to join the main feeder parade which then makes its way down to Clifton Street to join the main demonstration.
“As a member of West Belfast LOL 739, I can say with certainty that both lodges and accompanying bands have faithfully obeyed all previous determinations by the Parades Commission, and this year their reward has been to be re-routed through the Mackies’ site. This is particularly hard to take given that last year republicans flouted the determination and staged a protest by the gates.
“Once again bad behaviour has been rewarded and good behaviour has been punished. This decision further calls into question the role of the Parades Commission. It appears to me that they are part of the problem, not part of the solution.”