Orange Order refuse to re-route march away from scene of '˜attack' on Priest

Canon Thomas White was allegedly attack and spat on during an Orange Order parade last month that passed by St Alphonsus’ Church in Glasgow’s London Road.

A 24-year-old man has since appeared in court charged with assault aggravated by religious prejudice in relation to the incident.

The Orange Order agreed to delay a second march which would have passed by the church on July 21, but are pressing ahead with plans for a march on the same route this Saturday.

Man arrested over Orange Walk attack on priest in Glasgow

The controversial organisation refused requests from Police Scotland and Glasgow City Council to re-route the march in order to avoid tension with the local community.

In a written submission to Glasgow City Council’s Public Processions Committee, Police Scotland said: “Should this notification be confirmed as proposed, we believe there is a significant likelihood that the presence of the parade would lead to significant potential of public disorder and significant disruption to the life of the local community.

“This would not only impact on the local residential and business community, but the general public going about their daily business would also be severely affected.

“It also the opinion that, it would carry a clear potential for disorder and violence, and would have very significant resource implications for Police Scotland.”

The committee is expected to meet today to rule on the case after an agreement was unable to be reached with the District 37 lodge.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow also hit out at the proposed route, writing on Twitter: “The Archdiocese has protested in the strongest terms at the gross insensitivity of the proposal and calls on councillors to reroute this march. @policescotland has also urged rerouting. The time has come to make actions match words. #EnoughIsEnough.”