Northern Ireland

Senior Orangeman claims police are contacting loyalist band organisers over recent violence

Rev Mervyn Gibson, grand secretary of the Orange Order. File picture by Matt Bohill
Rev Mervyn Gibson, grand secretary of the Orange Order. File picture by Matt Bohill Rev Mervyn Gibson, grand secretary of the Orange Order. File picture by Matt Bohill

A senior Orangeman has criticised the suggestion that police are contacting loyalist band organisers to discuss violence over the last week.

Mervyn Gibson, grand secretary of the Orange Order, described the actions as "scandalous".

Mr Gibson tweeted a Facebook message which read: "Just had a PSNI visit with regard to my band's position to the present unrest. Wanted my mobile no etc."

The message did not refer to Mr Gibson himself.

The senior Orangeman questioned how many bands had been approached by police.

It is understood Mr Gibson's concerns were raised at a private meeting of the Policing Board yesterday afternoon.

It is thought that Chief Constable Simon Byrne will contact Mr Gibson about the issue.

However, it is understood police have not launched a co-ordinated attempt to engage with loyalist bands around the recent violence.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police engage with the communities they serve on an ongoing basis on a range of issues to help keep people safe".

A total of 41 PSNI officers have been injured in rioting in predominantly loyalist areas of Belfast, Derry, Newtownabbey and Ballymena over the last few days.

SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly, a member of the Policing Board, said it was common practice for police officers to engage with the community.

"What are they (the PSNI) supposed to do?" she said.

"Of course they're going to speak to people."

She added: "The DUP are accusing the police of a lack of engagement with loyalist communities and then when they do it doesn't suit.

"I think people just need to catch themselves on and stop the diversionary tactics."

Meanwhile, Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said yesterday young people are being "cynically used" by "more sinister elements of society".

He said the decision not to prosecute Sinn Féin members in relation to the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey in June last year and problems over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol had created a "perfect storm".