Police surround Clyde Valley Flute Band at Apprentice Boys parade in Derry on Saturday over Soldier F symbols on their uniforms to prevent breach of the peace
And it says the first it knew about the emblems on the band’s shirts was at the end of the parade.
Members of the Clyde Valley Flute Band from Larne had the regiment’s insignia and the letter “F” on the sleeves of their uniforms as they took part in the loyal order Apprentice Boys parade through the city on Saturday.
“Soldier F”, a member of the Parachute Regiment, is due in court next month charged with two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder committed in Derry Bloody Sunday.
A large number of police officers surrounded the band as it made its way through the Waterside area in order to prevent a breach a peace and the band was prevented from taking part in the return leg through the Cityside area.
Members of the band were also stopped by police as there bus made its way back to Larne.
In a statement on behalf of the Apprentice Boys of Derry Association on Tuesday evening, the organisation’s governor Graeme Stenhouse said: “At the Relief of Londonderry commemorations on Saturday the 10th of August an incident took place with the Clyde Valley Flute Band, with regards to an emblem on the band’s shirt sleeve.
“The officers on the general committee had no prior knowledge of the band’s uniform, or this incident, until the conclusion of the main parade at Bond Street.
“We recognise that this may have caused upset to many in the nationalist community.
“Our focus at this parade is to commemorate the siege and relief of the city in 1689 and in no way should it be used as a means to heighten tensions in a shared city.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: “The statement from the Apprentice Boys acknowledging the genuine hurt caused by a band parading with Parachute Regiment and Soldier F insignia is a positive step that will contribute to healing in the city.
“It is welcome and demonstrates the kind of leadership that Derry and the North needs right now.
“Tensions in our city have been heightened over the course of the weekend.
“We all have a responsibility to take the poison out of a very difficult situation and work together to reconcile our communities.
“We have occupied the space of accommodation and respect before, there is no reason we can’t move to back to that ground again.
“There is no future for our city that excludes any community. Now we have to work hard to bring people together and sustain the spirit of reconciliation.”
Police stop Clyde Valley Flute Band bus on the outskirts of Derry on Satruday
“This is the territory of freedom of speech versus provocation,” she said after a meeting with Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin on Tuesday.
“Soldier F is going to be brought before the courts, he hasn’t been found guilty, he hasn’t gone through due process, which we believe in very firmly, but people have a right to support Soldier F.”
Police have defended its operations in the city on Saturday.
It is preparing a file for the Public Prosecution Service to see if the band had committed any public order offence.
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