Hain to appeal court ruling on parades body appointments

Northern Secretary Peter Hain has announced his intention to appeal against a High Court ruling overturning the appointment of Orangemen to the Parades Commission.

Mr Hain had appointed two Orangemen to the body last November, but the court ruled last week that the move breached guidelines on fairness and balance.

The judgement was made because the Orange Order had been invited to seek the positions, while no such invite was extended to nationalist residents group.

Mr Hain said today that he would lodge an appeal against the ruling within days.

His announcement came as a similar situation is playing out in the High Court over his decision to appoint the widow of a murdered RUC officer as the North's Victims Commissioner last October.

The court has decided to grant a judicial review of Bertha McDougall's appointment to the position at the request of Brenda Downes, whose husband was killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC.

It emerged during the hearing that Mr Hain had consulted the DUP and no other party about the appointment.