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DUP leader Arlene Foster to attend Orange parade in Fife DUP leader Arlene Foster to attend Orange parade in Fife
(about 14 hours later)
The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party is to attend the Orange Order's annual Battle of the Boyne parade in Fife later. The leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party is attending the Orange Order's annual Battle of the Boyne parade in Fife.
Arlene Foster will make the lead address at the County Grand Lodge of East of Scotland's district meeting. Arlene Foster made the lead address at the County Grand Lodge of East of Scotland's district meeting.
Up to 5,000 marchers are expected to take part in the Orange parade, being held in Cowdenbeath from 13:15. Up to 5,000 marchers were expected to take part in the Orange parade, being held in Cowdenbeath from 13:15.
Ms Foster's attendance at the event has drawn criticism from the SNP and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.Ms Foster's attendance at the event has drawn criticism from the SNP and the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Her party's 10 MPs have been propping up Theresa May's minority UK government since the Conservatives lost their majority in last year's general election.Her party's 10 MPs have been propping up Theresa May's minority UK government since the Conservatives lost their majority in last year's general election.
'First prominent female''First prominent female'
Ms Foster, who was Northern Ireland's first minister until January 2017, is expected to call for closer links between Scotland and the province during her speech at Beath High School at midday. Ms Foster, who was Northern Ireland's first minister until January 2017, called for closer links between Scotland and the province during her speech at Beath High School.
Police have said unlawful behaviour during the event will be dealt with "robustly" and have warned drivers that roads around the parade route will be closed from midday until about 16:00. She told the crowd: "We travelled across by air on this occasion, but I hope in the future we will be able to drive to Scotland.
"In 2015, the DUP proposed a feasibility study into building a bridge to Scotland. At that time some mocked the idea. They had no vision."
'Use Brexit'
Ms Foster said there was growing support for the project and called for the Orange order in Scotland to get behind it.
She added: "Amongst all the nasty and abusive comments made about the Orange, wouldn't it be great to become an actual bridge builder between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
"Not only would a bridge be a symbolic linkage, it would also be a tremendous boost to the economies of the areas at both sides of the bridge.
"Whilst some foolishly attempt to use Brexit to build a border between Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are more progressive, we want to build a bridge.
The Scottish government said any such project would have to be built on a "robust" business case.
A spokesman said: "We are keen to explore all potential opportunities for improving Scotland's transport links, but as with all proposed infrastructure investment, decisions would need to be founded on a robust business case."
Police have warned drivers that roads around the parade route would be closed from midday until about 16:00.
'Sensible idea''Sensible idea'
Speaking ahead of the event, Robert McLean - executive officer for the Grand Lodge of Scotland - said it was an honour that Ms Foster was taking part.Speaking ahead of the event, Robert McLean - executive officer for the Grand Lodge of Scotland - said it was an honour that Ms Foster was taking part.
He added: "We're absolutely delighted that Arlene Foster has accepted out invitation to come to Cowdenbeath and will be the first prominent female to address our members."He added: "We're absolutely delighted that Arlene Foster has accepted out invitation to come to Cowdenbeath and will be the first prominent female to address our members."
The Orange Lodge also said attendance by Northern Ireland politicians at Scottish parades was not unusual, with former first ministers Peter Robinson and David Trimble having done so in the past.The Orange Lodge also said attendance by Northern Ireland politicians at Scottish parades was not unusual, with former first ministers Peter Robinson and David Trimble having done so in the past.
The parade is expected to be one of the biggest in Scotland and will involve lodges from Fife, Edinburgh, the Lothians and parts of Stirlingshire.The parade is expected to be one of the biggest in Scotland and will involve lodges from Fife, Edinburgh, the Lothians and parts of Stirlingshire.
Marchers celebrate the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690 when William III - the Dutch-born Protestant better known as William of Orange or King Billy - defeated the Catholic King James II in County Meath.Marchers celebrate the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690 when William III - the Dutch-born Protestant better known as William of Orange or King Billy - defeated the Catholic King James II in County Meath.
The SNP has previously said it was "struggling to believe" that Ms Foster thought attending the Fife parade was "a sensible idea". The SNP has previously questioned whether Ms Foster's attendance at the march was "a sensible idea".
But the DUP responded by saying: "The SNP should have weightier worries about Scotland than Arlene Foster's diary commitments." A spokesman added: "With the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended, it's surprising Arlene Foster has the time to visit an orange walk in Fife when her priority should be getting Stormont back up and running."
Northern Ireland has been without a government since January last year, after a power-sharing deal between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin collapsed.Northern Ireland has been without a government since January last year, after a power-sharing deal between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin collapsed.