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Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland
  Press Statements

Chief Constable Accused Of Irresponsibility Over Whiterock Parade

24 June 2004

NORTHERN IRELAND Chief Constable Hugh Orde has been attacked for gross irresponsibility and sticking his head in the sand over the threat of violence surrounding Saturday's Whiterock Orange parade.

Belfast County Orange Grand Master Dawson Bailie today accused Mr. Orde of "deliberately dodging" a meeting to discuss security fears arising from the Parades Commission decision to ban Orangemen from their traditional parade route along the Springfield Road.

"When I initially contacted a senior PSNI officer and told him it was imperative that we met with the Chief Constable today", said Mr. Bailie "I was told he was too busy meeting political parties to see me. I subsequently spoke to leading Unionist politicians none of whom knew anything about a meeting with the PSNI. Given that Mr. Orde and Sinn Fein/IRA don't talk to each other and I know of no meeting with the SDLP, you can't blame me for thinking that the Chief Constable was simply trying to avoid the Orange Order.

"When I later heard that another Loyal Order delegation had cancelled their planned appointment with Mr. Orde today, I again contacted the PSNI and asked if I could take their place only to be told that the Chief Constable was not prepared under any circumstances to change his diary to meet with me.

"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."

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