Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has announced a ban on the annual Drumcree parade, citing the inability to reach a compromise between the Orange Order and nationalist residents of Portadown’s Garvaghy Road. The decision follows a two‑week standoff that has heightened tensions in the town. Bryant said the march could not proceed safely after negotiations broke down. “Sir Chris explained that an agreement could not be reached between the Orange Order and local nationalist residents on Portadown’s Garvaghy Road,” the Independent reported. The secretary added that the prospect of the contentious Orange Order march down Garvaghy Road had led to a prolonged impasse, according to the Guardian.