by Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell yesterday made it clear he wants to see a cut in the number of loyalist and republican parades on the streets of Scotland.

Next week he will receive an independent report into authorising such events by ex-Strathclyde police chief Sir John Orr.

The Scottish Executive has repeatedly flagged up its determination to stamp out anything that can be used to promote sectarianism.

Mr McConnell said he was convinced that people wanted fewer marches and processions on their streets.

“I think there are too many parades,” he told reporters.

“I think there are many communities across Scotland that would like to see less parades and I think if they had more influence over the decisions that were made there would be less parades.

“I think if local authorities and the organisations involved had a framework within which they could reach better agreements then there would be less parades, too.”

Mr McConnell said that in some parts of the west of Scotland there are “just simply far too many parades.”

He hoped Sir John’s report and the Executive’s response to it would help to address the issue.

Sir John’s review is intended to identify issues surrounding marches and parades from the view of those wishing to march, the communities affected and the authorities that have responsibility for making decisions on marches and ensuring public safety.

His remit includes consideration of what could be done to address the problems caused by marches and parades with specific reference to five issues, including the number of marches and parades in a particular area and the effects on the community.

Mr McConnell also made another defence of his controversial New Year family holiday with broadcaster Kirsty Wark, again insisting it was a private family holiday which he did not need to declare.

He said that earlier this week Ken Livingstone had passed on advice he had received from an ex-minister.

“He said that if he had one rule that he should bear in mind as Mayor of London it was that while he would be perfectly right to take holidays with long-standing friends, that anybody who became a friend of his after he became Mayor of London, he should hesitate to have holidays with them.

“And I thought that was a good distinction,” said Mr McConnell.