Parading to be invitation only

Ulster Unionist MLA, Tom Elliott, has criticised Gerry Adams after the Sinn Fein leader said that the future of parades would be by invite only.

In a statement the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said: "The remarks from Gerry Adams about parading in some areas in the future being by invitation only are not some slip of the tongue, but rather chosen carefully and intended to be highly provocative. He knows the traditions of the Unionist community in Northern Ireland are long established and very important to thousands of people who annually demonstrate their continuing commitment to civil and religious liberty."

"Despite all their "huffing and puffing" about how they would safeguard parading, it is quite clear that the DUP have brought the issue back into the fore when there was little or no desire amongst the community for doing so. What's more, they have gifted Gerry Adams an opportunity to "spook" the Unionist community with his pipedream about invites for parades. Gerry Adams knows that he has manipulated the DUP regarding parades; otherwise he simply wouldn't make comments like the one he has when he knows that it is not going to happen. It is very damaging to say the least."

"I will continue to uphold the right of individuals to march in a peaceful and legitimate manner and continue the traditions passed to us from previous generations regardless of what Gerry Adams may think needs to happen."