RIOTING in Ardoyne on the evening of the Twelfth was "deeply damaging" to the north's reputation, British Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday.
SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell asked Mr Cameron in the Commons yesterday if he would call on the loyal orders to take part in talks with residents living at parade flashpoints, including Ardoyne.
A 16-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and a woman was treated for a broken wrist after a car drove into them in Ardoyne on Monday night.
Twenty police officers were also hurt when loyalists rioted in the area. An inspector's ear was severed and another officer's finger was almost bitten off.
Mr Cameron said he agreed that the violence had damaged the north.
"I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman that those sorts of scenes are deeply damaging to Northern Ireland's reputation and to Northern Ireland’s future," he said.
"We all want to see these situations sorted out and not occurring in future.
"Overall, this year’s twelfth of July was overwhelmingly a peaceful celebration in most areas of Northern Ireland, but what happened in the north of Belfast is not acceptable.
"I agree with him that where it is possible for people to get together and solve these problems, of course that is the best thing that can happen, but in the meantime it is obviously the Parades Commission that runs the adjudication process."
