THE organisers of a major anti-independence march have been accused of trying to "disguise" its links to the Orange Order after members were told to leave their colours at home and wave “unmarked” flags.
The Maintain the Union rally and march is expected to bring up to 5000 supporters to Glasgow city centre on May 18.
Despite the Orange Order telling its members “the Grand Master has called for a big show,” the event is promoted as a “family gathering" for all creeds.
It is being organised by the British Together, which describes itself as “the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland’s campaign to keep the United Kingdom together”.
The gathering has been advertised recently in the Order’s official monthly magazine, the Orange Torch.
Read more: Glasgow City Council 'should have power to put limit on Orange parades'
However in a message in the latest issue, the Order says those attending should take care not to advertise their links to the Protestant Christian fraternity.
It says: “All is ready for the Maintain the Union rally and march on Saturday 18th May.
“The Grand Master has called for a big show of support for this public demonstration by British Together and other unionist groups.
“The Order has assisted with arrangements and will provide stewarding, but this is NOT an Orange event. No colours are to be worn and there will be no bands.
“This is a family gathering and concerned unionists of all creeds and colours are welcome to take part.
"A quantity of large Union Flags and Saltires will be available, but please also bring your own (unmarked) flags.
“Stewards will be clearly identified with blue hi-viz tabards bearing the British Together logo.”
The event is due to take place a fortnight after pro-independence supporters kick off a summer of marches organised by the All Under One Banner group.
AUOB hold their first march in Glasgow this Saturday.
Officially, they have told Glasgow City Council up to 40,000 people will attend.
Unofficially, they have suggested it could be closer to 100,000.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland was a registered No campaigner in the 2014 independence referendum, when it brought 15,000 unionists onto the streets of Edinburgh in the final weekend of campaigning.
Read more: Orange Order to march 1,000 members past Glasgow church where priest was attacked
Dave Scott, director of the leading anti-sectarian charity Nil By Mouth, said the Orange Order was seen as more of “a noose around the Union’s neck than an asset”.
He said: ‘What’s really telling here is the fact that the Order recognise that the sight of orange regalia at a public meeting is a vote loser and puts others off attending.
“To many political supporters of the Union, the Orange Order is seen a huge embarrassment and presents a hostile, stubborn face of that cause to the electorate.
“Perhaps they would be better spending some time reflecting on why that is rather than trying covert measures to disguise their involvement in this event.”
A spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said: “In the same way that supporters of the Scottish Nationalists organise and attend ‘Yes’ rallies and events, supporters of the Orange Order are encouraged to campaign for the union through stand-alone events.
“We would encourage everyone who wants to show their support for the union to attend.”
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