Marching orders for parades

Executive has adopted nearly 40 new measures to regulate Scotland's marching culture

News, 25 January 2005

Nearly 40 new measures on parades are to be introduced by the Executive in a bid to regulate Scotland’s marching culture.

Under the plans agreed by the Scottish Executive yesterday, march organisers will have to give 28 days’ notice and may have to pay a "behaviour bond" before the event. The notice requirement would not apply to local protest marches and similar demonstrations.

Organisers would also have to ensure sufficient stewarding, but would not be expected to meet policing costs.

Other changes include giving councils greater freedom to ban marches or impose conditions. Communities should be given as much advance notice as possible, and have the chance to make their views known.

The restrictions, many of which will require primary legislation, were recommended by Sir John Orr, a former chief constable of Strathclyde Police, who was asked to examine procedures for authorising parades.

Sir John said: "My recommendations are not designed to undermine anyone's legitimate right to march. They are, however, intended to ensure better organised and better regulated and more accountable marches, and, hopefully, a better informed community."

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said: "The right to march is a powerful visible sign of a robust democracy. But hand in hand with those rights come responsibilities. That is the balance that needs to be struck - and that is the balance that many believe has been lost in recent years."