Northern Ireland secretary bans Drumcree parade

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has banned the Drumcree parade after a nearly two-week standoff between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents.

• Bryant announced the ban on Friday, the 13th day of the standoff between Orangemen and nationalist residents in Portadown.
• Bryant said the PSNI chief constable advised that the procession would require an intervention carrying an unacceptable risk of serious injury and disorder.
• The Parades Commission had ruled the march could pass with restrictions, but it did not proceed because of a large protest on the road.
• Bryant said he had tried to broker agreement between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents but could not.