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Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming to office (Cathal McNaughton\/PA)<\/p>\nOne of Northern Ireland\u2019s Parades Commissioners has resigned following criticism of the body after the High Court quashed its determination over the Drumcree parade in Portadown.<\/p>\n
Billy Gamble\u2019s resignation came just hours after UK prime minister Andy Burnham said \u201cconfidence will be restored\u201d in the commission.<\/p>\n
A court hearing earlier this week heard that the commission\u2019s decision to place restrictions on this year\u2019s Orange Order July march at Drumcree had not been considered in its \u201cfinal form\u201d by all members of the commission.<\/p>\n
High Court judge Judge McAlinden referred to \u201cerrors\u201d, \u201cshort cuts\u201d, and \u201csloppy procedures\u201d in the approach of the commission to making its determination.<\/p>\n
The Parades Commission, which adjudicates on contentious marches, has blocked the order from marching along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown in July every year since 1998.<\/p>\n
Some unionist politicians have called for the resignation of the commissioners following the High Court ruling.<\/p>\n
Gamble had faced criticism over private comments, which were referenced in the High Court, that he made about the Drumcree parade determination.<\/p>\n
In an email he had described mediation over the parading dispute as a \u201cnon-starter\u201d.<\/p>\n
Announcing his resignation, a Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: \u201cThe Secretary of State has today accepted the resignation of Parades Commissioner Billy Gamble.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has written to Mr Gamble to thank him for his service.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Secretary of State is determined to support the commission as it rebuilds the confidence of the whole community in its vital work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his first visit to Northern Ireland since coming to office (Cathal McNaughton\/PA)<\/p>\n
Asked earlier if the Parades Commission is fit for purpose, Mr Burnham told reporters in Belfast: \u201cThe Northern Ireland Secretary (Sir Chris Bryant) has met the chair of the Parades Commission in the last 24\/48 hours, and obviously has been addressing some of the issues, the confidence issues that there are and that was the right thing to do obviously, the matters raised will have a resolution, and confidence will be restored.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI understand what you say when you say the stakes are high, but that requires a calm and a measured approach, and that is what the Government is taking, understanding the concerns of all communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut those issues have to be dealt with, hence the meeting that took place.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo obviously, that was the right thing to do, but it\u2019s what comes next is what matters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if there should be resignations from the commission, Mr Burnham replied: \u201cI think it\u2019s not for me to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stand-off at Drumcree made headlines in the 1990s with nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road resolutely opposed to the parade passing through the area, leading to violent clashes for several summers and political tensions necessitating a major security operation.<\/p>\n
The Orange Order has unsuccessfully applied for more than a quarter of a century to complete its 1998 walk along its traditional route.<\/p>\n
We accept the criticisms that have been made, and we take the issues that were raised by the court very seriously<\/p>\n
Professor Evelyn Collins<\/p>\n
The chairwoman of the commission, Professor Evelyn Collins, said she would not be resigning and insisted that the commission did not make decisions by WhatsApp.<\/p>\n
She told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: \u201cWe accept the criticisms that have been made, and we take the issues that were raised by the court very seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd obviously, we\u2019ve heard calls for resignation. 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.<\/p>\n
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