28/08/2026
✍️ 𝗗𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘: 𝗪𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗪, 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 … thank you to the Belfast Telegraph for publishing my opinion piece. This is a very important article. No one in the Unionist or Loyalist community is threatening violence. It’s time for SF to clarify their position.
Full article ⬇️
There is no suggestion whatsoever from the Portadown District, unionism or loyalism that there is any threat of violence or disorder if the next determination does not go the way that it should. It is the categorical position of all those in the unionist and loyalist community engaged in this issue that the way to challenge the injustice is using the law.
It is a matter of fact that for at least twenty-five of the last twenty-eight years there has not been so much as a stone thrown despite the deep sense of grievance, injustice and resentment at the ritualistic determinations restricting the rights of Orangemen to exercise their right to freedom of assembly and their civil and religious liberty.
I as a political representative can say clearly that there should be no threat of disorder or violence of any kind if the determination is once more unjust.
However, I am deeply concerned at the rhetoric from Sinn Fein and nationalism more generally. There is talk of a return to the “dark old days” and suggestions of violence or disorder erupting. I pose a simple question: who is going to engage in violence or disorder? It seems to me that it will certainly not be the unionist or loyalist community who have in a peaceful and dignified way maintained their protest for decades, and who have now used the law to expose the unsustainable nature of the ban on the Portadown District completing their church parade.
We need clarity from Sinn Fein in particular: are they suggesting that if the next determination goes- for the first time in twenty-eight years- in favour of the Portadown District, that nationalism and republicanism would drag us back to the horrors of the past, much of it of course inflicted by the IRA who Sinn Fein continue to shamelessly glorify?
If it is the case that they are not making such veiled threats, then they should be very clear that there will be no violence or disorder emanating from their community. If they can do this, as I have, then this will be a positive outcome. All sides should commit to abiding by any determinations, and using the law to challenge any flaws contained therein. This would allow the matter to be determined within the rule of law, and without threats of disorder from any side.
It was the law which delivered a seismic victory to the Portadown District this week in the High Court. The issues identified go to the very heart of lawful decision making, and the Commission fell well short.
This was not some mere technical error, but rather a determination which simply did not stand up to scrutiny in any way. There were jaw-dropping revelations about some comments made by Commissioners, and the process they followed.
These are matters which go to the very heart of lawful decision making by public bodies, and every citizen in Northern Ireland- regardless of background- should be deeply concerned, and indeed grateful these practices have been exposed.
The Secretary of State rightly made clear that the Commission cannot function without the support of the whole community. This Commission has lost the support of the unionist community. There are no assurances or warm words which can remedy that short of the resignations and/or removal from office of more Commissioners. Additionally, there should be a Judge led independent review into the Commission, its governance and structures, including exploring legislative change.
We have a chance to- use the law- to right a longstanding injustice, and I continue to support the Portadown District in their quest to do so.
Carla Lockhart MP
