A leading member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry has described as "provocative" plans by the Bogside Residents' Group to hold five marches in Derry on the eve of next month's annual Apprentice Boys parade. Alderman William Hay, a former DUP mayor of Derry, said the residents' group had nothing to offer in terms of finding a solution to the controversy surrounding the August 9th parade.
Up to 10,000 Apprentice Boys are expected to take part in the parade. Part of the route includes a section of the city's walls overlooking the Bogside.
Last August the security forces sealed off that section on the orders of the then secretary of state, Sir Patrick Mayhew, on the grounds of public safety. Mr Hay said the residents' group announcement did not surprise anyone.
"They have nothing to offer to anyone who wants to find a resolution to the problem they are creating.
"They are being provocative by threatening to bring hundreds of people on to the streets knowing full well that that creates the potential for trouble not only for us but for the entire city."
A residents' group spokesman, Mr Donnacha Mac Niallais, said: "We hope both sides will be flexible and reasonable. In terms of the peace process, we will do all we can to assist it and we hope the Apprentice Boys will do likewise."
An RUC spokesman said: "We have received notification of five parades for the evening of August 8th which are due to converge on the Diamond."