A parades commissioner resigns in the wake of High Court ruling

The development comes following a High Court ruling which quashed a determination over the Drumcree parade in Portadown
Author: Chris BrennanPublished 27th Aug 2026

One of Northern Ireland’s Parades Commissioners has resigned following a High Court ruling which quashed a determination over the Drumcree parade in Portadown.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “The Secretary of State has today accepted the resignation of Parades Commissioner Billy Gamble.

“He has written to Mr Gamble to thank him for his service.

“The Secretary of State is determined to support the Commission as it rebuilds the confidence of the whole community in its vital work.”

One of the six commissioners, Mr Gamble had faced criticism over private comments, which were referenced in the High Court this week, that he made about the Drumcree parade determination.

In an email he had described mediation over the parading dispute as a “non-starter”.