Northern Ireland Secretary appeals for calm amid Drumcree stand-off

Protesters gather on the Garvaghy Road, where members of the Orange Order were due to take part in the first return parade on the road for almost 30 years. Picture: Peter Morrison/PA Wire

The Northern Ireland Secretary has appealed for calm as he urged political and community leaders to reach for compromise to resolve a tense parading stand-off in Portadown.

Chris Bryant’s comments came as thousands of protesters continue to blockade the predominately nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown in a bid to prevent a contentious Orange Order parade passing.