Northern Ireland’s chief constable has been pressed over the “anger” that “lawbreaking” in the Drumcree dispute has been seen to have won.
Jon Boutcher has stood over the policing of the impasse in Portadown, Co Armagh, over the last two weeks, pointing out that no serious disorder broke out at the former flashpoint which saw violence in the 1990s.
He also said in a statement on Monday evening that he has directed that the criminal justice process continue “at pace”, adding that the courts are the place to deal with those who have engaged in unlawful protest.
Sir Chris Bryant stepped in to ban the Drumcree parade from returning along its traditional route on the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road after police said they were unable to facilitate it.
Crowds of protesters had turned out in opposition to the parade, which was given the green light for the first time in almost 30 years.
Police are investigating potential lawbreaking preventing the Parades Commission determination that the return Drumcree parade should travel along the Garvaghy Road with conditions.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill is among a number of Sinn Féin and People Before Profit representatives to be invited by police for interview.
Sinn Féin ministers were the focus of unsuccessful no confidence motions in the Assembly on Monday evening backed by unionists.
On Tuesday, Mr Boutcher met with a delegation from the DUP which included its party leader Gavin Robinson and Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart.
In a statement, the DUP said they met the chief constable to “reinforce concerns” in terms of the investigation into lawbreaking around Drumcree, and also the advice he gave to Sir Chris before his intervention.
Mr Robinson said Drumcree cannot be allowed to become a “guide” to potentially frustrate other Parades Commission determinations.
“We have been clear about the need for full transparency from the chief constable about both the investigations into those who broke the law on the Garvaghy Road and the threats which influenced his referral to the Secretary of State which ultimately saw the parade banned,” he said.
“Legal proceedings are ongoing which involve the PSNI and they will be answerable to that process.
“Through this we will also learn more than has been made public to date. As it stands, the action taken on the Garvaghy Road may be viewed by some as a guidebook to frustrate any other lawful determination from the Parades Commission.
“That perception cannot be allowed to succeed and that is a task which only the police can achieve.
“There will be no chance of repairing damage to confidence in policing if the public cannot fully understand the threat that was posed to public order, where it emanated from and a demonstration that the law will be enforced.”
Ms Lockhart said: “The chief constable was left in no doubt about the real anger that exists amongst people that lawbreaking has been seen to win. It is impossible to fix a problem unless you first admit that it exists.
“The public were able to see for themselves what happened on the Garvaghy Road and the elements that were present there. Policing depends on public support and that will not be repaired unless the law is not only applied but seen to apply also.”
Meanwhile Ulster Unionist leader Jon Burrows said during his meeting with Mr Boutcher that he received a “categoric assurance that his decision was based on public order, public safety and the risk to people being injured, and their belief it wasn’t physically possible to police the parade”.
Mr Burrows said he challenged the chief constable about his advice to Sir Chris at the risk of the Executive collapsing, and was told that was not a rationale for his decision but “wider commentary on the impact of a disastrous policing operation”.
“Now that will be tested in the judicial review, and we’ll await to see what comes of that,” he told media at Stormont on Tuesday afternoon.
“I made it crystal clear to the chief constable, we do not expect to see any political considerations in policing decisions, and we need to see a swift and visible policing operation now to bring people to justice.”
Earlier, Mr Burrows urged against escalating the Drumcree dispute to other parades across Northern Ireland.
“I have heard people on both sides saying ‘bring it on’ to expand parade disputes right across Northern Ireland, that is absolute folly for everyone in Northern Ireland, as well as those who are part of the parading community,” he told MLAs at Stormont during Members’ Statements on Tuesday.
“I would appeal to the PUL (Protestant, unionist, and loyalist) community, particularly those who do parade, from the Orange Order to our bands, not to succumb to the temptation to take part in unnotified processions.
“I would appeal to them to do the right thing, to obey the law, and I’d also say to them that I’ve seen the real-life consequences for people who do these things.
“There has to be, of course, accountability for those who broke the law, but I would appeal to those in the unionist community, stay lawful and allow us to deal with the political and legal accountability.”
“But I would say to the unionist community, let us get back on the front foot in promoting Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom… let’s focus on making Northern Ireland work for everyone, bringing accountability for those who have done wrong in this particular issue, and I appeal to everybody not to escalate a dispute in Portadown to other parades across Northern Ireland,” he said.
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