Loyalist bands quit police and parade commission, raising doubts over £750,000 music fund

The Arts Council for Northern Ireland’s Musical Instruments Programme, which allocates £750,000 to replace aging gear for both loyalist and nationalist bands, ended its application round on Thursday. After the Garvaghy Road standoff, more than ten loyalist flute bands announced they are cutting all links with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Parades Commission, accusing the authorities of bias and failing to protect lawful parades.

Groups such as Ballycraigy Sons of Ulster (who received £7,443), Rathcoole Protestant Boys (£7,627), and Sons of Kai (£9,962) cited double standards and a lack of confidence in law enforcement. The Arts Council declined to say whether the funding will be paid out or frozen until the dispute is settled. The backlash comes shortly after Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant revoked a Parades Commission decision that had allowed a Portadown lodge to march on Garvaghy Road. Additional bands, including Dervock Young Defenders and Bangor Protestant Boys, issued similar statements, and one band even staged an unnotified parade on the Shankill Road with banners denouncing the authorities.