TOP cops today warned of rising tensions over loyalist parades in Glasgow - including threats of “pipe bombs and burning vehicles”.

Police said attitudes had hardened “on both sides” as they successfully argued an Orange Order march should be diverted away from a flashpoint Catholic church where a priest was spat on last year.

5 Top Glasgow cop John McBride is warning of increased tensions and 'pipe bomb threats' ahead of a Protestant march on Saturday Credit: Callan Media - The Sun Glasgow

Superintendent John McBride said a parade passing St Alphonsus last month needed more than 100 officers - compared to 11 at a similar past event - amid fears of clashed between Protestants and Catholic “counter-protesters”.

And he warned the County Grand Orange Lodge of Glasgow’s planned 1000-strong “Act of Union Parade” this Saturday could require more than 200 cops.

In a briefing to councillors - who yesterday ordered a re-route of the parade - Mr McBride said recent weeks had seen “a distinct and frankly troubling change in the terms and tone of commentary and rhetoric about Orange Order and/or ABOD [Apprentice Boys of Derry] processions going past St. Alphonsus and/or St Mary’s churches, in the Calton”.

He said differences of views were not new but warned: “Recent language has been more strident, on both sides of the argument, and positions are becoming more polarised.”

5 Saturday's march is expected to require more than 200 cops Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow

The police chief said that when the parade passed St Alphonsus last month, there were shouts of “Fenian b******s” and “paedos” heard “quite distinctly from within those supporting the parade” - directed at Catholic counter protesters outside the church.

And he said violence was likely but for “the very heavy police presence”.

He added: “In addition, social media posts regarding use of pipe bombs and burning vehicles has also been noted and whilst I would not advocate that this is a serious threat, it does go some way to evidencing the hardened attitudes of some.”

5 Canon Tom White was spat at during a march past St Alphonsus Church last year Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow

5 Organisers will appeal the decision to re-route their parade away from the Roman Catholic chapel on Saturday Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow

Last week, a series of tweets were posted by a Twitter user railing against “bigoted sectarian Orange marches in Glasgow”.

One included a picture of a pipe bomb, and urged people to halt protestant marches by constructing hoax devices and “place them along a route or close to a chapel”.

It added: “The police will have to investigate them and close off the road. It worked for us in the 70’s. So give that a try.”

The initial tweet came in response to the group Call It Out, who campaign against “anti-Catholic bigotry and anti-Irish racism in Scotland”.

5 During a parade last month, shouts of 'Fenian b******s' and 'paedos' were directed at Catholic counter-protesters Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow

Yesterday, at a council processions committee meeting, James G MacLean, from the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland - representing the Glasgow lodge - blamed Call It Out for the risk of trouble flagged up by police.

He said the Glasgow lodge felt Call It Out were “the real reason for the escalation” in tensions - and re-routing the march would be a “hecklers’ veto”.

Mr MacLean added: “It has to be said that if the superintendent is correct... this is because of the threatened counter demonstration by the group that styles itself as Call it Out, and not because of the lack of peaceful intent of the marchers.”

Mr MacLean said the right to counter-demonstrate should not override the human right to freedom of public assembly.

And he said Call It Out were “threatening to disrupt the peace and order” in the way it’s opposing to the parades.

Councillors said the march could go ahead but would be re-routed. Mr MacLean said: “We intend to appeal to Glasgow Sheriff Court.”

Last night, Call It Out said: “How can a group of people, of all ages, standing silently and wholly peacefully, cause an escalation of tensions?”

Canon Tom White was attacked last July as a parade passed St Alphonsus. Bradley Wallace, 24, was later jailed for 10 months over the assault.

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Last week, loyalist groups lost a court bid against the council’s decision to reroute another parade past St Alphonsus, last weekend.

Neil MacDougall QC, representing four groups, said changing the route of the parade would be a breach of members’ Article 11 right – the right to freedom of assembly and association.

But Sheriff Stuart Reid ruled in favour of the council, saying its decision was “adequate, proper and intelligent”.

Orange Order backed pro-union rally takes place in Glasgow

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