Music ban on Orange marches in Glasgow could be overturned by council

A BAN on Orange walks and other processions playing music outside places of worship in Scotland’s biggest city is expected to be reviewed.

• Glasgow City Council is preparing a review of its processions policy

• Review will also consider use of public spaces such as George Square, Nelson Mandela Place and parks

• Stewarding arrangements, timing, costs and unauthorised processions will also be considered

Glasgow City Council is preparing a review of its processions policy, which regulates the conduct of marches throughout the city.

Currently, processions are expected to ensure music ceases when approaching and passing places of worship, irrespective of whether a service is in progress.

Council leader Gordon Matheson, a Labour councillor, has confirmed that the review will include consideration of the ban, but stressed that no decisions have been taken.

However, Glasgow SNP MSP Humza Yousaf, a Muslim and former spokesman for international aid charity Islamic Relief, said the prospect of change has left him “deeply uneasy”.

He said: “My concerns lie in finding the balance between protecting the rights of those who come to Glasgow in order to march and the rights and safety of the people who live, work, play and worship here.

“The code of conduct states that parades should not play music while passing places of worship – be it a chapel, a synagogue, a mosque or any place of worship. Any relaxation of this would be unwelcome.”

The current processions policy was introduced in 2005 amid concerns about the amount of marches in the city, which numbered more than 300 a year.

As well as addressing the music ban, the review will look at other issues including the use of public spaces such as George Square stewarding arrangements, timing and costs.

In a letter to Mr Yousaf, Mr Matheson wrote: “While I am, of course, committed to a review of our policy, let me assure you that no decisions have been taken to alter the current position, nor have I ever sought to encourage an increase in the number of processions.

“The review is currently being worked on by council officers and will be brought to the council’s executive committee, where elected members will be given the opportunity to discuss the report and any amendments.

“We will also be allowing the opportunity for community councils to provide their views on the current code of conduct.”

He added: “Without pre-empting the content of the annual review, it’s my understanding that we’ll see evidence of a decrease in the overall number of processions in the city.”

Mr Matheson also addressed Mr Yousaf’s call for a ban on marches by far-right group the Scottish Defence League on the grounds of “moral decency”.

He said the council does not have the legal authority to prohibit marches on this basis.