'Hangers-on' to be dealt with by Parades Commission

The British government has announced legal changes to give the North's Parades Commission jurisdiction over "hangers-on" at Orange Order marches.

The new laws will allow the commission to make orders governing the activities of parade supporters.

Their introduction follows a High Court ruling last summer that the commission had jurisdiction over Orangemen themselves and bands taking part in their marches, but not the hundreds of "hangers-on" who accompany them.

The new laws, which are due to be in force by this summer's marching season, are likely to anger unionists, who had been calling for the Parades Commission's powers to be curbed.