The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Jon Boutcher, has welcomed a decision by the Secretary of State, Sir Chris Bryant, following his request for a review of a Parades Commission determination relating to a notified procession by Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge No 1.

In a statement, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: "This morning, I wrote to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to formally request him to review, under section 9 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, the determination made by the Parades Commission under section 8 in respect of the notified public procession by Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge No 1. "

"My request was made on the basis of our ongoing assessment that had developed since the original determination was issued. Our position throughout has always been to facilitate the lawful procession permitted by that determination." He explained that his assessment was that all proportionate options to complete the procession had been used up, and anything further would have required a major public order operation with unacceptable consequences: "I outlined in my letter to the Secretary of State that my current assessment was that all available, lawful and proportionate options to facilitate completion of the procession had been exhausted. Any remaining options would have required a substantial public order intervention that was not assessed to be proportionate, and which would have carried an unacceptable risk of serious injury, disorder and a wider contagion affect across Northern Ireland. Further to this, such an operation would in my view have had not only catastrophic long term consequences for trust and confidence in policing, but for the Northern Ireland Executive and the peace process."

He also noted efforts to find agreement had failed: "I also outlined in the letter that mediation and political engagement had not produced a sustainable agreement, and the position of the respective parties had become more entrenched. "

Cost pressures were another factor, he said: "Finally, I highlighted that the current and continuing costs and impact upon the Police Service of Northern Ireland were significant and in the context of our existing funding challenges could not be sustained indefinitely. "

Welcoming the Secretary of State's move, he stressed the need for space to seek lasting answers: "I welcome the Secretary of State's decision. This past two weeks has had a marked impact on relationships within and between communities and the police. It is in everyone's interest that time and space is now created for conversations about finding long term solutions to this complex and sensitive issue."

He appealed for a measured response from all involved: "I would ask that the Portadown Orange Order and Garvaghy Road Residents respond responsibly to this development with a focus on the future of our next generations whilst acknowledging the need to respect the traditions of Northern Ireland."