Four loyalist marches in Glasgow "get go-ahead" for this weekend

Four public processions due to take place in Glasgow on Saturday are expected to go ahead.

Glasgow City Council today confirmed, having received information from Police Scotland, it will not hold a Public Processions Committee.

Police have warned there could be serious disorder if the 800 strong Pride of Govan Flute Band procession is prevented, although they have also said they are able to police it either way.

Counter protests are expected to take place across the city.

The decision to allow the marches comes just a week after both loyalist and republican processions were banned following trouble at previous gatherings and a rise in tension between the sides.

The Govan Flute Band, with 800 members, is among those expected to take to the streets.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The council has been placed in an impossible position in relation to the parade in Govan.

“Police Scotland has said that, should the procession not go ahead, many of the 800 people due to take part will react angrily - which could lead to violence and a significant impact on the local community.

“We deeply regret that the wider community in Govan will be subject to this disruption. However, police have made it absolutely clear that this could be made worse if these people are not allowed to march.

“The council has asked the organisers to voluntarily withdraw this notification, which they have refused to do.

“Today, we are directly appealing to them to reconsider that decision and think about the impact of their actions on the community in Govan and on tensions across the city.

“We also call on other groups not to mount protests against the march.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “Our view is that if the processions were banned, some form of protest and disorder could still take place and the policing profile for Saturday would therefore be similar.

“If the processions go ahead it would allow us to continue to engage with known organisers to ensure balanced rights were upheld and to police the events under the conditions agreed by the council.

“I need to appeal to people who plan on taking part in processions or counter protests to do so peacefully.

“We will have a range of policing resources, including a range of specialist assets, in attendance and will take any necessary action against anyone causing disruption.

“The decision to amend the route or the timing, or to prohibit any procession is a matter for the relevant local authority.

“Police Scotland is required to assist councils to make informed decisions by making appropriate representations on notifications which could potentially significantly risk public safety, disorder, damage to property or disruption to the life of the community.”