Apprentice Boys slam decision to re-route Belfast march

The Apprentice Boys in the North have accused the Parades Commission of bowing to threats of republican violence by banning a contentious march in north Belfast this Saturday.

The commission has ruled that the feeder march must not be allowed to pass the nationalist Ardoyne area, where an Orange Order parade sparked serious rioting on July 12.

The Apprentice Boys have claimed the ruling was politically-motivated and was a concession to republicans following threats of major protests if it were allowed to go ahead.

It has also accused nationalists in Ardoyne of failing to engage in dialogue.