NI Commission 'regrets mistake'

Parades Commission rules on contentious marches

The Northern Ireland Parades Commission has confirmed that it accidentally released the personal details of 39 Protestant bandsmen to a Sinn Fein member.

The commission, which rules on the routes of contentious parades in Northern Ireland, said it regretted the move.

The names and addresses of the secretaries of 39 loyalist bands taking part in a parade at Maghera, County Londonderry, on 28 July, were faxed by the commission to Sinn Fein assembly member John Kelly.

The bandsmen were later told by the Royal Ulster Constabulary that their details were in the hands of republicans.

Call on Tony Holland to resign

The Parades Commission has said it has put procedures in place to make sure it does not happen again.

In a statement on Wednesday, it said a "completely genuine mistake" was made.

But the move has led to a leading loyalist calling for the resignation of Parades Commission chairman Tony Holland.

Ulster Democratic Party leader Gary McMichael, whose party has links with loyalist paramilitaries the Ulster Defence Association, described the breach of confidentiality as "worrying".

"This is a very serious matter," said the loyalist politician.

UDP leader Gary Michael

"It is something which has profound consequences and implications for the future of the Parades Commission and the confidence any parade organiser could have in providing personal information to the Parades Commission.

"You don't know where it's going to go next," he said.

The commission said Mr Holland had no intentions of resigning.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Unionist Party, which has links with loyalist paramilitaries the Ulster Volunteer Force said it has asked for an urgent meeting with the commission to find out if it has "violated the confidentiality of the 36th UVF Regiment bands Association".

PUP assemblyman Billy Hutchinson said: "The Parades Commission have admitted that they passed names and addresses of certain members of the Bands Association to a member of Sinn Fein.

"If this is the case then the commission have not only breached confidentiality, but they have put these individuals under a serious security risk. There can be no excuse for incompetence."

RUC accused of "spin"

John Kelly said he tore up the fax after the commission informed him of the error.

He accused the RUC of putting what he called "an unacceptable spin" on the story.

"It seems to me the RUC are attempting to spin this into a very sinister story, whatever the reasons.

"The fact is a loyalist parade was to take place in Maghera last Friday," he said.

Sinn Fein's John Kelly

"The week before a number of residents and myself had secured a determination prohibiting the parade from trespassing a nationalist area of Maghera.

"In the event, the Parades Commission unexpectedly, a week later, overturned that decision.

"The reason for requesting the names of the bands was to ensure that no band which had contravened the commission in other areas like Harryville, Bellaghy or Garvaghy Road would be taking part," Mr Kelly said.

The RUC said it did not comment on security matters.