New parades commission appointed
Secretary of State Owen Paterson has appointed Peter Osborne as Chair of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland and six new Commission members.
The six are Douglas Bain, Delia Close, Reverend Brian Kennaway, Dr Catriona King, Frances Nolan and Robin Percival. They will take up their posts in January 2011.
Former senior Orangeman Mr Kennaway fell out with the order’s leadership.
The Parades Commission was reappointed in September after legislation to replace the body was put on hold
Mr Paterson said:”Until such time as locally owned arrangements can be found the Parades Commission will continue to play a vital role in ensuring that there is a means of dealing with contentious parades which allows for consideration of the rights of those who wish to parade and those who are affected by parading.
“I am sure these new commissioners will continue to work with local communities to ensure we do not see a repeat of the violence which occurred at a small number of parades during the summer past.
