The Orange Order's Grand Lodge of Ireland has reaffirmed its support for its Portadown members to march down the Garvaghy Road. The commitment was given by the order's grand secretary and Co Armagh grand master, Mr Dennis Watson at a rally at Drumcree on Saturday night to mark the 800th day of the protest.
Around 150 Orangemen and supporters heard Mr Watson accuse the British government of lacking "the will or the guts" to see an Orange parade on the Garvaghy Road.
Mr Watson said the solution to Drumcree lay with Garvaghy Road residents and their spokesperson, Mr Breandan Mac Cionnaith. "It is a pity that those individuals, who professed to want equality and to take things forward in a new agenda, that they don't show the same equality and let our brethren have their rights restored to them," Mr Watson said.
He said the Grand Orange Lodge would continue to work to resolve the impasse.
