Marching rights under review after song probe
MARCHING rights of the Orange Order are “not absolute”, council chiefs have warned as police launch a probe into alleged sectarian singing at a weekend parade.
Officials at Glasgow City Council have said that parades through the city could face restrictions in the future or even be prohibited if they spark anti-social behaviour.
The statement comes as officers investigate events surrounding a crowd singing a banned chant known as the Famine Song after a band struck up the accompanying tune during an Orange Walk on Saturday.
The Orange Order of Scotland has distanced itself from the incident, with Executive Officer Robert McLean saying he was “confident” none of its members was involved in airing any offensive lyrics, even if a band hired by the organisation had supplied the music.
In a 43-second clip posted onto Twitter on Sunday, the march is seen passing under a bridge as hundreds of people stand by and look on.
A group of people at the end are then heard to repeatedly sing: “The famine is over, why don’t you go home?”
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: “The European Convention on Human Rights enshrines the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. However, these rights are not absolute.
“They must be balanced by the responsibility to ensure the rights of others are not infringed. As with all Public Processions, there will be a debrief involving Police Scotland, the organiser and the council.
“The council will take into account any issues of public disorder, antisocial behaviour or damage to property resulting from the procession.
“It will also take into consideration any evidenced issues and, if a future procession notification is received from the organiser, the likelihood of any restriction or prohibition may be greater.”
The Famine Song has previously been ruled to be racist by a Scottish court, while fans have been discouraged from singing it at matches at Ibrox.
Mr McLean said his organisation would assist the police with any inquiry.
He added: “None of our members took part in this. The band played the tune but it was the people on the streets who put the words to the tune. There is nothing offensive about playing a tune.”