DUP hoping to resolve Drumcree dispute in talks with SF

The DUP has said it hopes to hold discussions with Sinn Féin aimed at ending the long-running dispute over the Drumcree Orange parade in Portadown.

The parade has been banned from the nationalist Garvaghy Road since 1998 due to the Orange Order's refusal to hold talks with local Catholic residents.

The DUP says resolving the stand-off is one of its top priorities and party spokesman Jeffrey Donaldson says the issue has already been raised in talks with Sinn Féin.

The revelation follows the decision by the spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents to resign from Sinn Féin.

Breandan MacCionnaith has refused to comment on speculation that one reason for his resignation was a possible compromise over Drumcree.