The Orangeman who will appear in court today charged with two counts of attempted murder has previously taken part in talks to resolve the parading deadlock in Ardoyne.

John Aughey (61) has been involved in discussions between nationalist residents and members of the loyal orders and other groups.

The north Belfast man has also been prominent in the ongoing loyalist protest at Twaddell Avenue and has acted as a spokesman for Orange lodges caught up in the dispute.

During a protest rally close to the interface last month, Mr Aughey told Orangemen that the order “will not do the police’s job for them”.

The Orange Order has been criticised for withdrawing marshals from this year’s ‘Twelfth’ parade at Ardoyne.

There was serious rioting in the area on Monday night and PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin described the decision not to marshal march supporters as “regrettable”.

Criticising Chief Constable George Hamilton and Secretary of State Theresa Villiers at last month’s rally, Mr Aughey said: “After a year of false promises and broken pledges from the secretary of state and others this community has had enough of the platitudes.

“It is an indictment of this system that law-abiding people are being punished and mistreated on the basis of violence, intimidation and quite frankly blatantly bogus grievances.”

It was reported that sharing the platform with him was Belfast County Grand Master George Chittick, PUP spokesman Winston Irvine, and Gerald Solinas, from the UPRG.

Police arrested Mr Aughey after a car struck several people on the Crumlin Road on Monday, seriously injuring a 16-year-old girl.

He was last night charged with two counts of attempted murder.

An Orange Order spokesman said: “As the incident is the subject of a police investigation, it is therefore inappropriate to comment.”