Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has accused the PSNI of “allowing mob rule to win” at Drumcree, as she stood with Portadown Orangemen outside Drumcree Parish Church on Saturday afternoon.
While thousands gathered a short distance away on the Garvaghy Road in a major solidarity rally supporting local residents, Ms Lockhart was at the top of the hill with members of Portadown District Orange Lodge, who maintain they are entitled to complete their traditional return route along the nationalist estate.
Speaking to Armagh I, the DUP representative said she believed police were failing to uphold a lawful determination in favour of the parade.
“I think it’s quite staggering that we have a police service in Northern Ireland who are continuing to allow mob rule to win in Northern Ireland, as opposed to those who stand lawfully and stand legally with a lawful determination in their hand,” she said.
“So for me, the police service have a lot to answer for with regards to their fulfilling of that determination and ensuring that the law wins over mob rule.”
Ms Lockhart said around 35 Orangemen remained “on the hill” at Drumcree, ready to walk if police enforced the Parades Commission’s ruling.
“Thirty-five men here remain on the hill, ready for the police to fulfil their obligation to ensure that their legal determination is fulfilled and that they are able to walk the Garvaghy Road back to Carleton Street with their banner,” she said.
“The big question for Northern Ireland is: are we going to let mob rule win? Or are we going to let the law and lawful people win in this scenario?
“And I firmly believe for Northern Ireland – and it’s not my words; it’s the words of a High Court judge – we are staring into the abyss with regards to that very stark reality of mob rule versus lawful ruling.”
Warning of wider consequences if the parade is not facilitated, she added: “For me, that is a big issue, and that will, I have no doubt, have repercussions and ramifications across Northern Ireland and across our political institutions if we do not see lawfulness upheld in Northern Ireland.”
Ms Lockhart also sought to reassure Garvaghy Road residents about the intentions of the Orangemen.
“There is nothing to fear, and if I can do anything to reassure the residents – I’ve spoken with some of them – there is nothing to fear from 35 Orangemen,” she said.
“Most of these men are elderly. Most of these men just believe in their rights to fulfil their legal determination and to walk on a route that is traditional, has a great meaning to the Orange.
“So for me, it is allowing those Orangemen to fulfil that legal determination, but not to thumb our noses at anyone.”
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