DUP leader plays down fears over parade

The Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson has played down fears that the breakdown of a parade agreement in north Belfast could lead to disorder on the streets.

He said he did not detect an “appetite” for trouble and hoped a resolution could be found.

The deal which ended violence around the 12 July parade in the Ardoyne area collapsed earlier this month, and talks to maintain the 2016 agreement have broken down.

Speaking on the BBC NI programme The View, Mr Robinson said he had not been engaged personally on the issue but local party colleagues had been involved.

“We’ll see what comes in the days to come, but I am pleased that there does not seem to be an appetite or a desire to escalate this in a way that we’ve sadly seen in the past," he said.

“I think it’s important to have cool and calm heads on this issue rather than trying to be provocative about it.”

Mr Robinson said he understood the "frustration" of Orange Order lodges in the area.

The order has applied to march past Ardoyne shops on the evening of 12 July.

Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association (Cara) has applied for a protest involving 100 people at the same time.

The Parades Commission will rule on the matter in two weeks’ time, with the police monitoring developments closely.