Orangemen call for inquiry into parades documents

Portadown Orangemen today demanded an independent inquiry into claims that confidential documents from the Parades Commission fell into the hands of the IRA.

They called on the Secretary of State to suspend Commission chairman Tony Holland and other members pending the outcome of an inquiry.

In a statement, the district organisation said its position of no confidence in the Parades Commission had been vindicated.

This followed Craigavon Ulster Unionist councillor Arnold Hatch's revelations that details of a meeting he held with the commission in June 2001 had been discovered following the police raid on Stormont offices.

Mr Hatch said he had been visited by two police officers who produced transcripts of the meeting, which was held to discuss Drumcree.