# Northern Ireland Secretary bans Drumcree parade

> Sir Chris Bryant has banned the contentious Drumcree parade after two weeks of standoff between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents.
- Title: Northern Ireland Secretary bans Drumcree parade | Shortify
- Summary: Sir Chris Bryant has banned the contentious Drumcree parade after two weeks of standoff between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents. Northern…
- Keywords: chris bryant, drumcree parade, portadown, garvaghy road, orange order, northern ireland, psni, parades commission, sinn féin, dup, politics, news
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/drumcree-parade-2026-banned-garvaghy-road-update-chris-bryant-b3064437.html
- Published: 2026-10-09T21:14:03+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chris bryant, drumcree parade, portadown, garvaghy road, orange order, northern ireland, psni, parades commission, sinn féin, dup, politics, news
## Two-week standoff ends in ban
Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has banned the Drumcree parade after nearly two weeks of standoff between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents in Portadown.
## No compromise found
Sir Chris said finding accommodation between the two sides had proven impossible despite attempts to negotiate a solution that would satisfy both parties.

> We've been talking it through, trying to find a solution, and unfortunately, we've not been able to do that.
## Police chief requested review
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher asked Sir Chris to review the Parades Commission determination, citing significant costs and impact on police resources.
## Public interest test failed
Sir Chris decided the procession could not proceed in the public interest, citing the changing situation in Portadown and the difficulty of allowing it to go ahead.

> I've decided that it's not in the public interest for it to proceed, and I've therefore banned the procession.
## Portadown Lodge praised
Sir Chris thanked Portadown LOL No 1 for their peaceful and law-abiding approach and cooperation with the PSNI throughout the standoff.
## Garvaghy Road celebrates
The decision was met with cheers at Drumcree Community Centre on Friday night. Sinn Féin and SDLP welcomed the ban as bringing relief to residents.

> Today belongs to the residents of the Garvaghy Road, who have shown remarkable strength and dignity in the face of provocation and intimidation.
## DUP says rule of law broken
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the ban fatally undermined the rule of law and sent the signal that the country should be run by force of numbers.

> These decisions are a mistake, and send profound signals that the country should be run on force of numbers and who shouts the loudest.
## SDLP: parade should never proceed
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said the parade should never have been given permission and should never be allowed again, calling the ban overdue.
## Irish government welcomes closure
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the decision brings significant relief to Garvaghy Road residents and called for renewed efforts at reconciliation across communities.
## Calls for tensions to ease
Sir Chris called for all protests, rallies and demonstrations to be stood down, saying there is no excuse for continued ratcheting up of tensions in Portadown.

> With this in mind, I call for all protests, rallies and demonstrations to be stood down.
## Key takeaway

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant banned the Drumcree parade after two weeks of standoff, saying accommodation between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents proved impossible.