In response to speculation that the Parades Commission could receive a stay of execution, Traditional Unionist Voice Vice Chairman Keith Harbinson said such a move would cause much consternation within the Unionist community. 

Mr Harbinson said “For too long the Parades Commission has been part of the problem, and not part of the solution, and the longer the right to parade remains the gift of this unelected quango the longer we will be without solution.”

Mr Harbinson also questioned the delay in the publication of the report of the Strategic Review of Parading saying, “This report was due to be published in November last year, however some eight months later we are still awaiting the recommendations that were originally sought to bring about openness and transparency to the entire decision making process governing this remit.  Instead of this tangible delivery we are now faced with a second stay of execution for the Parades Commission without so much as an explanation for the exorbitant delay.”

“I would suggest that it is now incumbent upon the office of the joint First Ministers to actively seek such explanations and to encourage the Ashdown Group to publish their report as soon as possible, to allow the requisite proposals to be implemented to avoid a third extension being granted and most importantly of all, to prevent this issue becoming embroiled in political posturing”

Finally, defending the Orange Order in relation to remarks made by Mr Poole concerning their unwillingness to meet with residents groups and the Parades Commission, Mr Harbinson said,
“The Orange Order’s decision was not based on sustainability, but rather on principle and integrity grown from their experience in these issues. They entered into the Strategic Review of Parading in good faith, as a means of delivering a working model which would prevent them from having to engage with the Parades Commission again.  Thus far this has not happened.”