Adams dismay at Orange rejection

Drew Nelson said that Sinn Fein should apologise

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has described as "disappointing" the Orange Order's rejection of his call for direct talks between the organisations.

Grand Secretary of the Orange Order Drew Nelson, said there was "no prospect" of the leaderships meeting.

Mr Nelson said if Sinn Fein was sincere Mr Adams should first apologise for the murders of Orangemen by the IRA.

Mr Adams said Mr Nelson was "allowing his personal feelings to undermine his leadership responsibilities".

There is no prospect of a meeting with Sinn Fein at any level in my opinion by the leadership of the Orange Order while they continue to justify and glorify the murders of our members Drew Nelson Orange Order

"Republicans could put up exactly the same pre-conditions as Mr Nelson - we very consciously refrain from doing so," he said.

Mr Adams had urged engagement with the Order's leadership in the wake of the violence in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast on Monday after a contentious Twelfth of July parade.

He said it was time for the two sides to meet to work out a solution to six outstanding contentious parades.

But Mr Nelson said: "There is no prospect of a meeting with Sinn Fein at any level in my opinion by the leadership of the Orange Order while they continue to justify and glorify the murders of our members," he said.

"It would be entirely inappropriate to consider meeting with Sinn Fein until Gerry Adams or the leadership of Sinn Fein apologise for the IRA murders of the 275 Orangemen murdered during the Troubles by that terrorist group," he said.

'Regrets'

In response, Mr Adams said he had "never glorified IRA killings".

"I have also stated my regrets at the deaths and injuries caused by republicans. This includes members of loyal institutions," he said.

The West Belfast MP said Orange culture had a part to play in his vision of a united Ireland but that the six or seven parades which remain an annual source of tension could only be resolved through dialogue.

"They (the Order) talk about being a Christian organisation, about neighbourliness, and I don't dissent from any of that and I don't say any of this to undermine the good decent people who were involved in the Orange, but why on earth can't they come forward and meet us?" he said.

Mr Adams met Portadown Orangemen in 2008, a meeting which was criticised by the Orange leadership.