Orangemen take protest to Downing Street

Portadown Orangemen were today taking their Drumcree protest to the British Prime Minister’s doorstep.

David Burrows, deputy district master of the Orange Order in the Co Armagh town, was due to hand in a letter at 10 Downing Street protesting at the continued banning of their annual parade from the nationalist Garvaghy Road.

He said the letter would complain to Mr Blair about the ‘‘1,000 days of denial’’ over Drumcree.

The Orangemen say nationalist residents groups have a veto over parading in Northern Ireland and want the Government to restore their right to march.

Mr Burrows will be at the head of Orangemen from English districts who will parade through Whitehall in full regalia for their annual march.