Northern Ireland secretary says public confidence in Parades Commission damaged
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Sir Chris Bryant
Northern Ireland secretary, Sir Chris Bryant, met with the Chair of the Parades Commission, Professor Evelyn Collins, yesterday in the wake of the High Court decision that described decision making processes at the Commission as “sloppy”.
During their discussion, the Secretary of State expressed serious concern over the issues highlighted in the High Court judgment relating to the Orange Order’s annual Drumcree parade.
He reiterated his view that public confidence in the Commission has been damaged and needs to be restored.
As a result, Sir Chris has asked for written assurances that:
- All of the Commission’s decision-making processes are fair and robust;
- The Commission as a whole, and the Commissioners individually, act independently and impartially at all times; and
- The Commission has a credible plan to enhance public confidence across all communities.
Sir Chris has asked for a response by close of play on Friday.
Meanwhile Professor Collins has resisted calls for her to resign. Professor Collins, who is an honorary professor at the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast and former chief executive of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, was appointed in January 2024 for a three year term.
She told BBC’s Good Morning Ulster programme: “Rather than resign, the commissioners and I are very committed to fulfilling our responsibilities under the legislation, to completing our terms of office and to addressing and fixing the problems that have been identified”.
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