COUNCIL bosses are to review a parades and processions policy in Glasgow after concerns were raised around Orange marches.

The move comes after a man was jailed for spitting on a priest outside a church during an Orange Order parade last July and a number of parades were ordered to be re-routed after police raised concerns about possible protests.

Glasgow City Council is to set up a working group to review the current policy governing parades and processions in the city.

The current code aims to balance the rights of individuals and groups to hold processions in line with the freedom of assembly and association in the European Convention of Human Rights with the need to minimize disruption to people and communities.

The review group will be asked to consider whether the right balance between those two is being achieved.

Following the attack on Canon Tom White outside St Alphonsus Church in Calton, two Orange parades and one each by the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Black institute were referred to a public processions committee to avoid passing the church.

It is expected that protests are likely again this year and the review will consider how engagement with citizens and communities can be improved.

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Last year there were 313 processions in the city which the council was notified of.

The majority were from Protestant organisations with the Orange Order responsible for 143, the Apprentice Boys of Derry, 26 and the Black Institute 20.

The total also included 16 republican marches and six by trade unions.

The council said any changes to the code must be in line with national legislation, which complies with the ECHR.

In a report to councillors, Carole Forrest, the solicitor to the council, said: “While the vast majority of processions pass without difficulty and in compliance with the requirements set out in the Code of Conduct, it is acknowledged that in a small number of cases there have been complaints and concerns regarding the conduct of participants or followers.”

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A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “The aim is that our policy and code of conduct should help balance the rights of those who wish to take part in processions with those of the wider community; within the scope of national and European legislation.

“Reviewing it allows us to consider any areas where they could be updated or improved, in consultation with communities.”

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said there was no one available to speak to the press when contacted.

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