The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Outrage over DUP chief heading up Orange walk
News of Ulster leader’s involvement in Fife event sparks controversy
News that DUP leader Arlene Foster is to front an Orange Order march in Fife has prompted outrage.
Former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament Tricia Marwick said she felt ashamed about the event taking place in her hometown of Cowden beath.
And Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie warned the Democratic Unionist Party chief to tread with care.
Mrs Foster, who struck a controversial deal to prop up Theresa May’s government, is guest speaker at the Battle of the Boyne anniversary celebration on June 30.
Cowdenbeath hosts the annual event, one of Scotland’s largest, for the County Grand Lodge of the East of Scotland.
Mrs Foster was Northern Ireland’s First Minister until January 2017 when the Stormont power-sharing agreement collapsed. It is believed this is first time she has attended a parade in Scotland.
Tricia Marwick, the former SNP MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, Tweeted: “In Cowdenbeath, the town I was born and brought up in. I have never been more ashamed.”
An SNP source said: “We have no knowledge of this visit and are really struggling to believe that Arlene Foster believes this is a sensible idea.”
A DUP spokesperson hit back: “The SNP should have weightier worries about Scotland than Arlene Foster’s diary commitments.
“Mrs Foster has accepted an invitation from the Scottish Orange Order to speak at an event later this month.
“She will deliver the same message in Scotland as in Ireland.”
The spokesperson said she would use the platform to say: “There is no place in 2018 for sectarianism or prejudice against any section of our community – that includes the Orange Order.”
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath’s Labour MP Lesley Laird said: “I’m not entirely convinced that, given the lack of political leadership or assembly in Northern Ireland, this is the best use of Arlene Foster’s time.
“My advice to her would be to channel her energy into getting Stormont back up and running.”
Mr Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, said the visit was a reminder of the DUP’s “far from healthy” influence on the UK Government.
He said: “With the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended, I would have thought Arlene Foster’s time would be better spent reaching across the political divide at home rather than marching on the streets of a small town in Fife.
“As a Liberal I, of course, believe she has the right to come to Cowdenbeath.
“Yet she needs to tread with care as Scottish politics is very different from that in Northern Ireland.”
Robert McLean, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland’s executive officer said Mrs Foster had been invited as a guest speaker and would be making the event’s main speech.
Police Scotland are understood to be beefing up security for the visit, but would not comment on the march or any security arrangements.
Following consultation with the Chief Constable, Fife Council gave permission for road closures to allow the parade to go ahead.
The council said there were a number of standard conditions imposed for all parades. Among these are that organisers taking responsibility for the safety and conduct of the participants.
The parade, which is due to set off from Beath High School playing fields at 1.15pm and then pass along the High Street, is one of several planned in Fife for the same day.
Another march will be held in Cowdenbeath in the evening, organised by the Loyal Orange Lodge, with others in the morning in Dunfermline, Ballingry and Kirkcaldy.