An SNP MSP has said that Glasgow City Council needs more powers to restrict the number of parades by the Orange Order, and similar organisations.
John Mason, Shettleston SNP MSP, was speaking at First Minister's Questions to highlight the issue of Orange and Loyalist parades in Glasgow following the recent re-routing of a march on Easter Sunday.
READ MORE: Orange Order to march 1,000 members past Glasgow church where priest was attacked
The parade was rerouted to avoid a Catholic church where a priest was spat on and a man jailed for the assault, following the decision by the council, it was then cancelled by organisers.
Mr Mason believes that the council should have the power to stop parades going ahead altogether however and raised the issue to the First Minister.
The parade was then cancelled by the organisers but Mr Mason wants the council to be able to stop parades going ahead in the first place. He asked Nicola Sturgeon if council’s had enough power over parades.
Mr Mason said: "I think the council should be allowed to restrict the number of marches by similar organisations to a set number per year.
“We are a democracy and we need to allow marches hat perhaps we don’t like unless it is by an organisation that is banned but there can be too many from similar organisations.”
Posing a question to the First Minister he asked: “I think that the First Minister is aware of the issue of marches in my constituency and, in particular, the recent proposed one by the Apprentice Boys of Derry past a couple of Roman Catholic churches on Easter Sunday.
“Does she think that the current legal arrangements are satisfactory, or does Glasgow City Council need more powers to reduce or restrict such marches?”
The First Minister said that she had confidence in the police dealing with parades.
Ms Sturgeon, said: “We are always happy to talk to councils about the range of powers that are at their disposal. We have faith in Police Scotland to ensure the safety of members of the public and people who participate in marches.
“I was absolutely appalled—as, I am sure, was everybody in the chamber—by the incident that took place outside St Alphonsus church last year.
READ MORE: Orange Order in Scotland is on the brink of collapse, according to leading historian Tom Devine
“This is an opportunity for all of us to reiterate that nobody should ever be a target for hatred simply because of their faith.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council told the Evening Times: “We want to ensure the arrangements for dealing with processions work for communities, as well as those who want to exercise their right to march.
“The Leader of the Council recently met with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to update him on the on-going issues around parades and processions in the city and to seek additional clarity on the legislation – particularly in terms of recognising community impact – and that dialogue will continue.”
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