Chief Constable under fire for 'dodging' meeting

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde has been attacked by the Orange Order's Belfast Grand Master for what the Order views as "gross irresponsibility" over his refusal to meet with representatives concerned about a threat of violence hanging over Saturday's rerouted Whiterock parade.

Today, Belfast Orange Grand Master Dawson Bailie alleged that the Chief Constable was "deliberately dodging" a meeting to discuss security concerns arising from a ruling by the Parades Commission to prevent a parade proceeding down the Springfield Road.

Mr Bailie said: "When I initially contacted a senior PSNI officer and told him it was imperative that we met with the Chief Constable today, I was told he was too busy meeting political parties to see me."

On contacting leading Unionist politicians, Mr Bailie said that none of them knew anything about a meeting with the PSNI.

He said that he thought the Chief Constable was "simply trying to avoid the Orange Order".

"The Parades Commission ruling on the Whiterock parade is potentially one of the most serious threats to law and order in Belfast in recent years.

"For the Chief Constable not to be prepared even to discuss ways in which tensions might be reduced is a shameful dereliction of his duties and an insult to the citizens of Belfast," said Mr Bailie.

Earlier a group consisting of senior loyalists, unionists councillors and representatives had announced the formation of a Parades Forum. They had offered to enter into direct discussions with nationalists over the contentious route of the Whiterock parade.

Springfield residents had welcomed the move to discuss the parade as a genuine offer.

The Parades Commission ruling to restrict Saturday's Whiterock Orange Order parade cited previous breaches of codes of conduct as the reason for the decision to ban the parade from proceeding along the Springfield Road before proceeding back to the Shankill.

(SP)