The Ulster Unionist Party group at Belfast City Hall has today met with the Parades Commission to voice concerns about last Saturday’s dissident republican parade in Belfast City Centre.

Speaking after the meeting, Alderman Jim Rodgers said:

“Saturday’s event, when dissident republicans were permitted to walk through Belfast City Centre was nothing less than shameful.

“We relayed to the Parades Commission the widespread anger that these marchers were allowed to pass the spot where two UDR soldiers were murdered in an IRA bomb in 1988.

“We also told them that there is bewilderment as to why the marchers were permitted to march back from City Hall, given that they provided less than 24 hours’ notice. Anyone who has ever had to fill in an 11/1 form seeking permission for a parade or procession will be asking just why this group was able to do this when nobody else would have been offered the same facility. Indeed, a cross community fun run in North Belfast has just been cancelled because three months’ notice is required and has not been given.    

“We also asked the Parades Commission what they propose to do about the presence of Paramilitary-style uniforms in the parade. This is a particular concern given the nature of the event and the background and history of some of the participants.

“We had a very interesting discussion and impressed upon the Commissioners the need for them to engage more with the Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist community who are very unhappy at many of the decisions they take.

“It is our intention to continue to meet with the Parades Commission and try and persuade them to understand the depth of feeling that exists amongst many of the  organisations and groups we represent.”