The leader of the British National Party, MEP Nick Griffin, has refused to apologise for a tweet in which he referred to “Fenian bastards” — even though in the past he has claimed his ancestors came from a village in North Cork.

Trade unionists have appealed for a peaceful Covenant Centenary parade on Saturday when tens of thousands are set to march through Belfast.

The Orange Order has pledged that only hymns will be played outside a Catholic church along the route of a major Belfast parade later this month.

The Orange Order has withdrawn an application to parade past Ardoyne on September 29 as part of the Ulster Covenant rally.