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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Danica Kirka

UK government blocks Northern Ireland march after standoff fueled sectarian tensions

Britain Northern Ireland - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The British government has blocked a contentious march from taking place in Northern Ireland after a two-week standoff between groups that support the region’s continued union with the United Kingdom and those who favor reunification with the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Chris Bryant intervened Friday night to ban the procession along Garvaghy Road in Portadown, saying it wasn’t possible to find a compromise between the union-supporting Orange Order and residents of the traditionally republican area through which it wanted to march.

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