McConnell concern over march

Councillors said they had no power to block the march

The go-ahead has been given for a Republican march to take place in Wishaw on Saturday.

It comes despite the concerns of Jack McConnell, first minister and the local MSP.

The event is to commemorate Bloody Sunday.

Local councillors said under current legislation they had no choice and want the process reviewed.

He's concerned about it on public safety grounds

Spokesman for
Jack McConnell

The Republican Bands Alliance said it was simply exercising its right to march.

A spokesman for Mr McConnell said as the local MSP he made his views known to the police last week.

"But it's a matter for the police and local authority to decide whether it should go ahead," the spokesman added.

"He's concerned about it on public safety grounds.

"He supports an individual's right to march, but when processions are used to promote sectarianism or fuel religious hatred then he'd expect the police to take this into account and take action."

Start time

North Lanarkshire Council granted permission for the march after securing an earlier start time.

Councillor Ernie Holloway said: "We can only ban it if we have suitable information that something is going to go wrong.

"The police are telling us that everything is under control, people's rights have got to be observed."

Jim Slavin, of the Republican Bands Alliance, said he accepted that not everyone in the area would agree with the march.

"However, what we would say to them is that we have the same rights as other organisations," he added.

The march will now take place at 0930 GMT on Saturday.