Orange officer secures backing

The Orange Order in Co Armagh has put on a display of unity over the Drumcree protest by reinstating the spokesman for the Portadown…

The Orange Order in Co Armagh has put on a display of unity over the Drumcree protest by reinstating the spokesman for the Portadown Orangemen, Mr David Jones. He was suspended on Thursday after rejecting a call by the Church of Ireland Primate, Dr Robin Eames, to "obey the law". An emergency meeting of the officers of Portadown District Lodge and Co Armagh Grand Orange Lodge called to discuss Mr Jones's suspension was described as "amicable". A joint statement after the meeting ended at 1 a.m. yesterday said the order in Co Armagh was united. "It is regrettable that there are those outside Portadown District and Co Armagh who once again tried through the media to create division where none exists, it said. Mr Jones was suspended by the Co Armagh Grand Master, Mr Denis Watson, after an interview on Radio Ulster. Mr Jones said he had tried to contact Mr Watson on Wednesday evening, and went ahead with the interview on the understanding that the decision reached by the Portadown Orangemen was "Grand Lodge policy".

The meeting "agreed that there had been a genuine misunderstanding" which was now resolved. The statement praised "the work of Brother Jones" and "his ability to carry out his duties as district press officer". Mr Jones is expected to be reelected as spokesman next Wednesday at a meeting of Portadown District. Mr Harold Gracey is expected to be re-elected District Master.