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Unionists in talks walkout protest over parade decision Unionists in talks walkout protest over parade decision
(35 minutes later)
Unionist parties have walked out of talks about contentious issues in Northern Ireland, after restrictions were placed on an Orange Order parade.Unionist parties have walked out of talks about contentious issues in Northern Ireland, after restrictions were placed on an Orange Order parade.
The talks on parades, flags and the past were being held at Stormont.The talks on parades, flags and the past were being held at Stormont.
The DUP, UUP, TUV, PUP and UPRG issued a joint statement in response to the Parades Commission's decision.The DUP, UUP, TUV, PUP and UPRG issued a joint statement in response to the Parades Commission's decision.
The parties said it showed that "the commission members place no value on a relationship with unionism and have treated our advice with contempt".The parties said it showed that "the commission members place no value on a relationship with unionism and have treated our advice with contempt".
"The DUP and UUP will end their participation in the now fruitless leaders' talks," they said. "The DUP and UUP will end their participation in the now fruitless leaders' talks," they added.
'Serious situation''Serious situation'
The move has been criticised by Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party, who have warned it is likely to increase tensions.
The discussions, which began on Wednesday, came six months after the last major push to resolve the outstanding issues, the Haass talks, ended without agreement.The discussions, which began on Wednesday, came six months after the last major push to resolve the outstanding issues, the Haass talks, ended without agreement.
The Parades Commission, which issues determinations on contentious marches in Northern Ireland, barred a 12 July Orange Order parade from returning along part of the Crumlin Road in north Belfast.The Parades Commission, which issues determinations on contentious marches in Northern Ireland, barred a 12 July Orange Order parade from returning along part of the Crumlin Road in north Belfast.
Several nights of rioting took place after the parade was stopped from returning along the road last year, with scores of officers injured.Several nights of rioting took place after the parade was stopped from returning along the road last year, with scores of officers injured.
The road separates unionist and nationalist communities.The road separates unionist and nationalist communities.
The unionist parties said in their joint statement that the Parades Commission's determination "creates a serious situation for Northern Ireland".The unionist parties said in their joint statement that the Parades Commission's determination "creates a serious situation for Northern Ireland".
"We know, having seen republican threats of violence being rewarded, the conclusion is swiftly drawn that violence pays."We know, having seen republican threats of violence being rewarded, the conclusion is swiftly drawn that violence pays.
"We have, for some time, been aware that such an absurd parades determination would bring with it a very real risk of widespread violence and disorder.""We have, for some time, been aware that such an absurd parades determination would bring with it a very real risk of widespread violence and disorder."
The statement was issued by DUP leader Peter Robinson, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, TUV leader Jim Allister, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson and Ian McLaughlin of the Ulster Political Research Group.The statement was issued by DUP leader Peter Robinson, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt, TUV leader Jim Allister, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson and Ian McLaughlin of the Ulster Political Research Group.
They said they had "pledged to work collectively on this issue".They said they had "pledged to work collectively on this issue".
"We do so to avert violence and destruction on our streets with the attendant harm that this would cause to Northern Ireland's community relations and reputation," they said."We do so to avert violence and destruction on our streets with the attendant harm that this would cause to Northern Ireland's community relations and reputation," they said.
'Graduated response'
"If we are to convince unionists that violence is not the only response to those who have consistently succumbed to republican violence and threats of violence, we must provide alternative means to channel justified anger and outrage."If we are to convince unionists that violence is not the only response to those who have consistently succumbed to republican violence and threats of violence, we must provide alternative means to channel justified anger and outrage.
"There will be a graduated unionist response involving the Orange Institution, the PUL (Protestant Unionist Loyalist) community and political unionism. Unionist leaders are willing to share the strain within the political process. Political action in tandem with peaceful and lawful protests is the path we must follow.""There will be a graduated unionist response involving the Orange Institution, the PUL (Protestant Unionist Loyalist) community and political unionism. Unionist leaders are willing to share the strain within the political process. Political action in tandem with peaceful and lawful protests is the path we must follow."
Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said he was disappointed by the decision.
"If it had gone the other way, we would absolutely have urged everybody to abide by that decision," he said.
"I hope that people will rise to this very difficult situation and show real leadership.
"We're in for a fraught couple of weeks, let's face the reality."
Alliance Party leader David Ford, who is also Stormont justice minister said: "I have serious concerns that what we are now seeing is the likelihood of a significant increase in tension.
"We've already spent over £10m since last July on policing the top of Twaddell Avenue (loyalist protest camp), and that is now likely to increase because of the utterly irresponsible and disgraceful behaviour of the two unionist parties."
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell said: "If we've learned anything over 40 years, it is that you can make all the threats you like and destabilise things, but at the end of the day you have to come back to the table and you have to do the sane, sensible thing."