Council investigating a moratorium on parades to ease community tensions

Glasgow City Council is investigating whether a moratorium on public processions could be introduced to ease community tensions while a new long-term approach to parades is considered.

The council is working with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to examine whether legal changes might be necessary. In particular we are considering how to test the legal definition of 'disruption to the life of the community' which is one of the four areas councils must consider when looking at parade notifications.

Responding to questions during a meeting of the full Council this afternoon, council leader Susan Aitken stressed all options would be considered to protect public safety.

Cllr Aitken said: "With community tensions running high and more processions planned for the weeks to come; I have asked officers to consider every option available to us - including whether, in the interests of public safety, a moratorium on such marches would be workable and provide all stakeholders with the breathing space needed to find a longer-term solution."

The city's Public Processions Committee yesterday prohibited six marches that had been notified to take place this weekend, based on the updated advice from Police Scotland.