The British Prime Minister's chief of staff is to return to Belfast next week in a fresh attempt to resolve the Drumcree marching dispute. Sources at Downing Street confirmed that Mr Jonathan Powell would be chairing proximity talks between the Orange Order and the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition.
A spokesman for Portadown District lodge, Mr David Jones, confirmed they had been told to expect a fresh round of talks over the coming weeks. He insisted, however, the talks would be on a proximity rather than face-to-face basis. "We have told the Prime Minister we think it's unfair that, despite all the flexibility we have shown and the lack of any reciprocal gesture from people living on the Garvaghy Road, the residents are being allowed to hide behind Parades Commission rulings . . ".
He was speaking as members of the Portadown District prepared to challenge, for the 65th week running, a Parades Commission ban on attempts to march down the Garvaghy Road.
Several hundred Orangemen and women were attending a church service at Drumcree yesterday and afterwards made an unsuccessful attempt to parade back to Portadown via the Garvaghy Road. The RUC blocked their path 400 yards from the church. Another march to Drumcree is planned for tonight when senior Orange Order officials will be addressing a rally on Drumcree hill.