A SENIOR police officer has claimed that 'a distinct and frankly troubling change' in the change in tone and commentary surrounding marches by loyal and Orange Order groups.

In a letter to Glasgow City Council, Superintendent John McBride, writing on behalf of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, outlined concerns regarding about four planned marches in Glasgow next weekend. 

Four parades next Saturday and Sunday are to be diverted to avoid St Alphonsus church in London Road.

The processions, including two by Orange Lodges and one by the Apprentice Boys of Derry and one by Dalmarnock No Surrender Branch Club, were diverted after police advice. 

It has now emerged that Police Scotland believe the situation surrounding parades by such groups past Catholic churches is "becoming more polarised" on "both sides", and that "further processions along the same route may only make things worse".

READ MORE: Four Orange Order and loyalist marches in Glasgow to be re-routed from Catholic church following police concerns

It was also confirmed in the letter than police are investigating instances of sectarian and verbal abuse towards protestors at last week's march. 

Police Scotland said that individuals, believed to be supporters of the parade could distinctly be heard shouting ‘F****n b******s’ and ‘paedos’ towards members of the protesters against the march, with officers now attempting to find those involved. 

The letter adds: "I do not know whether those responsible for the abuse joined the procession with the intention of behaving in such a fashion or whether their actions were more spontaneous.

"In a sense, it does not greatly matter for present purposes. The forthcoming planned processions are also going to attract counter protests if they go along the same routes.

"It seems sensible, then, to assume that there is the very real prospect of a repetition of the same abuse and possibly even something altogether worse.

"I do not, with respect, see that it is at all appropriate, then, for the council to – in effect – be invited to facilitate the creation of such obvious points of conflict."

The organisers of last week's protest, campaign group Call It Out, have welcomed the decision to re-route the marches, saying this was "the right decision" by Police Scotland. 

READ MORE: 'Anti-Protestant persecution': Orange Order responds to latest re-routing of parades past Catholic church

Earlier, the Orange Order reacted to the decision by stating the “bigotry and intolerance” is coming from the protesters and claim it is being facilitated by the police and city council.

The Grand Orange Lodge said it is the victim of "anti-protestant persecution" and said police are able to manage protests by other organisations without re-routing parades.

The letter, written on behalf of Police Scotland's chief constable, reads: "On behalf of the Chief Constable I welcome the opportunity to make this submission to the council. I understand it is proposed that the exigent circumstances of these applications mean that they may be considered by the Chief Executive, under delegated powers, rather than by the Public Processions Committee of the Council, as would be the more usual route.

More particularly, I understand the Council to have determined to consider the said notifications and to have invited presentation of this submission in consequence of certain concerns having been intimated about the forthcoming processions.

"The council will be aware of the Dalmarnock Orange and Purple District 50 procession held in the Calton last Saturday, 18th May. The procession route took it past St. Alphonsus church. By prior arrangement, there was a counter-protest (against the procession going past the church) on the pavement outside St. Alphonsus. Although our assessment of the position indicated that both groups were to be peaceful in their conduct there was a comparatively large police presence and significant policing plan in operation. The size of the counter protest alone was some way in excess of that witnessed on previous occasions. (The policing operation for this parade used in excess of 100 officers, many in specialist roles, when a comparable parade last year, and prior to the events of 07 July, required a purely conventional policing operation of only 11 officers).  There has, in recent weeks, been a distinct and frankly troubling change in the terms and tone of commentary and rhetoric about Orange Order and/or ABOD processions going past St. Alphonsus and/or St. Mary’s churches, in the Calton. A difference of view about such things is, of course, nothing new but the recent language has been more strident, on both sides of the argument, and positions are becoming more polarised. Whilst it is to be hoped that, through engagement and discussion in the relevant communities, some of that can be addressed in positive ways in the short term I am bound to recognise that further processions along the same route may only make things worse.

"In the course of last Saturday’s procession and as it went past St. Alphonsus there was heard –quite distinctly from within those supporting the parade – shouts of ‘F****n b*****s’ and ‘paedos’. I think it fair to say that the abuse was directed towards those in the counter protest. Work continues to identify those responsible. Although I am glad to indicate that there was no disorder in consequence that is likely only to have been because of the very heavy police presence.

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"I do not know whether those responsible for the abuse joined the procession with the intention of behaving in such a fashion or whether their actions were more spontaneous. In a sense, it does not greatly matter for present purposes. The forthcoming planned processions are also going to attract counter protests if they go along the same routes. It seems sensible, then, to assume that there is the very real prospect of a repetition of the same abuse and possibly even something altogether worse. I do not, with respect, see that it is at all appropriate, then, for the council to – in effect – be invited to facilitate the creation of such obvious points of conflict

"It seems clear enough to us that a repetition of last Saturday’s events outside St. Alphonsus is likely if the proposed processions go along the proposed routes. It also, and therefore, seems clear enough to us that that is likely to have a significant and disruptive impact on the life of the local community. It would also place an excessive burden on Police Scotland as far as deploying resources necessary to mitigate the risks arising is concerned. The policing presence required for the parades would draw on specialist resources from across Scotland.

"In terms of Section 63 (8)(a)(iv) and/or (b), we invite the Council to impose a condition on the processions to reroute them away from the churches. We are content, with regards to the relevant ECHR provisions, that that would be lawful, necessary and proportionate.

"Police Scotland has, as would be usual in such circumstances, drawn up a Community Impact Assessment in relation to the proposed processions and to consider its likely impact within the local community.  The Assessment is a ‘living’ document and one which continues to be developed in recognition of our most up to date understanding of the position.

"The overall assessment is that the proposed procession is expected to substantially raise local experienced and evidenced tension; that this rise in tension may be localised within the geographic area or, more broadly, the local communities.  The views strongly expressed by Canon White in his recent letter to the Committee as someone who is not only a local resident but the spiritual leader in the relevant parish communities requires to be taken into account by Police Scotland."