The Scottish Orange Order has threatened to take the council to court after accusing them of discrimination over plans for a march in Perth.
The order’s flute band was set to march through Perth on June 27 to mark the Battle of the Boyne. On Thursday the council agreed to the march as long as the order applies and pays for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order.
However, grand treasurer of the Scottish Orange Order James MacLean claimed they feel persecuted after conducting a Freedom of Information request into other organisations that were required to get a TTRO by the council.
Mr MacLean said: “No other parading organisation or pipe band seems to have, according to answers we have to our freedom of information request, been asked to obtain one.
“It looks to the organisers that there is a degree of discrimination here, that they are being required to obtain the TTRO but no-one else is.”
He continued: “We’re not filling in a TTRO. He who commissions a TTRO is responsible for paying it. There is no doubt what we’re doing is correct and we will take this to Perth Sheriff Court in due course.”
The plan is for 40 people to march at 8.30am from Tulloch Park to lay a wreath in Perth, accompanied by a 30-strong Castlemilk Flute Band.
Councillor Peter Barrett had objected to the plans, describing the presence of a 30-strong band as “excessive” and claimed the procession, if allowed to go ahead, should be forced to march in silence.
At Thursday’s meeting of the licensing committee, Mr MacLean said: “Councillor Barrett seems to view the Orange Order and folk from Castlemilk, for some reason I’m not quite ableto ascertain, as being perhaps adisreputable minority.”
The application for permission is on behalf of the St Andrew’s True Blues LOL (Loyal Orange Lodge) 209 Perth.
The march would start at 8.30am and make its way down Crieff Road, Dunkeld Road, Barrack Street, Atholl Street, North Methven Street, High Street, Scott Street, South Street, Tay Street and through the dry arch to lay a wreath at the Cameronian monument.
After the national anthem the group would disperse for a main rally inBroxburn.
SNP councillor Douglas Pover stated that the discussion over the need for a TTRO “boils down to safety, not the right to march”.
Conservative councillor DennisMelloy added that organisations such as the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band had applied for and been granted TTROs before.
Committee convener Bob Ellis said: “It is paramount to the safety of not just everyday members of the public who are walking or driving but to the marchers themselves.”