TUV critical of Parades Blueprint

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness unveiled proposals for a new system to replace the current Parades Commission last Tuesday.

The plans, including a new focus on encouraging dialogue, have been drawn-up under the terms of the Hillsborough Castle Agreement brokered to stabilise the power-sharing government at Stormont.

Commenting on the Draft Bill relating to Parading, Mr Allister said: “In truth, the name and furniture of the Parades Commission is being altered, but I fear the outcome, in terms of respecting the right to parade, will be little different.”

Mr Allister criticised numerous aspects of the Bill including: “The failure to publish the statutory Code of Conduct”.

He also claimed: “The tiers and degree of bureaucracy are excessive” and that “The adjudicators and other panel members can be convicted criminals, even terrorists, because only new convictions, after their appointment, rule them out”.