NORTHERN SECRETARY Owen Paterson has appointed a new Parades Commission, one of whose members is Rev Brian Kennaway, a member, commentator and critic of the Orange Order.
It is a totally new seven-member commission chaired by former Alliance councillor Peter Osborne, who previously served on the commission which adjudicates on contentious parades.
Also appointed is Robin Percival, a writer and former teacher who as a member of the Bogside Residents Group was previously involved in negotiations around disputed parades by the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order in Derry.
The other members are: Douglas Bain, recently retired as the North’s chief electoral officer; Delia Close, a retired teacher and former member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition; Frances Nolan, a retired police officer and current deputy lieutenant for Co Tyrone; and Dr Caitríona King, who has enjoyed an extensive clinical, management and academic career and is a graduate in medicine from Queen’s University, Belfast.
In February, following the Hillsborough Castle Agreement, it was agreed that the commission would be abolished and replaced with a new system of dealing with parades more acceptable to the Orange Order.
In the summer the order rejected the proposals, which prompted Mr Paterson to appoint this new commission which takes office on January 1st.
The Northern Secretary paid tribute to the outgoing commissioners and welcomed the new commission.
He said, “Until such time as locally owned arrangements can be found the Parades Commission will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that there is a means of dealing with contentious parades which allows for consideration of the rights of those who wish to parade and those who are affected by parading.”
Rev Kennaway, a Presbyterian minister, is viewed as the most controversial of the appointees.
Keith Harbinson, an Orangeman and vice-chairman of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said he was “distinctly unimpressed” with Mr Kennaway’s appointment.