UVF parade through Belfast city centre

The parade passed off peacefully

Nationalist politicians have criticised the decision to allow an Ulster Volunteer Force parade through Belfast city centre.

The parade, which started at the Shankill Road on Friday evening and went to the Ulster Hall on Bedford Street, passed off peacefully.

It was followed by a musical event in the Ulster hall.

The parade was organised by a group called the Great Wars Historical and Cultural Society, who said it was a "colourful pageant" to mark the 90th anniversary of the formation of the UVF and Ulster Day.

Loyalist Progressive Unionist Party assembly member David Ervine said he understood that it could be upsetting to some victims of violence.

Alban Maginness: "Celebration of paramilitarism"

But he said: "No-one can ever remove the pain from victims. But that is not what this is about. This is about understanding where we came from."

However, nationalist SDLP assembly member Alban Maginness said: "This parade is a celebration of the contemporary UVF and of paramilitarism in Belfast city centre, the premier city in Northern Ireland."

On Thursday, the Parades Commission told victims of UVF violence that it had decided to uphold its decision to allow the parade to go ahead.

But it said on Friday the parade would be carefully monitored and would be subject to a code of conduct regarding music, flags and the behaviour of those taking part.

David Ervine: "Not about stirring up pain"

Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by the UVF, criticised the decision, saying the parade was "glorifying terrorism".

He said it was a disgrace that the UVF was allowed to take over Belfast city centre on a Friday night.

"Belfast city centre isn't their community. Belfast city centre is full of Protestants and Roman Catholics, decent people, who don't want to see this parade.

"And it is no use Ervine and the PUP saying: Stay out of Belfast City centre. This is our city. This isn't a UVF city."