Parades Commission chair Evelyn Collins has said she will not resign, after a High Court judge found errors and sloppy procedures in the commission’s handling of this year’s Drumcree parade determination.

Mr Justice McAlinden said not all six commissioners had signed off the final determination before it was issued. The commission conceded the case last week and asked the court to quash its decision. The annual Orange Order march from Drumcree Church in Portadown was voluntarily cancelled to respect the proceedings.

Collins told BBC Radio Ulster that the commissioners were determined to fulfil their responsibilities, complete their terms, and address the problems identified. She said the practice of requiring all commissioners to approve final texts had already been changed, and a review of all processes was under way. She also stated that decisions are not made via WhatsApp, though the platform is sometimes used to alert commissioners to matters requiring attention.

Unionist leaders called for the commission to step down. DUP MP Carla Lockhart wrote to Collins saying the commissioners had lost the confidence of the unionist community. TUV leader Jim Allister said all members were culpable and must go. SDLP leader Claire Hanna said mistakes were a complete mess and that there would be resignations. Portadown Orange District Master Nigel Dawson said the commission no longer commanded the confidence of the loyal orders and was no longer fit for purpose. He has contacted the Secretary of State to request a meeting.

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant met Collins on Wednesday. A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said he expressed serious concern over the issues in the judgment, and asked for written assurances that the commission’s decision-making processes are fair and robust, that it acts independently and impartially, and that it has a credible plan to enhance public confidence. He asked for a response by Friday.

The Parades Commission has barred the Orange Order from marching along the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown since 1998. The current commission was appointed in January 2024 for a three-year term. Collins chairs a six-person panel. The member facing the most public criticism is Billy Gamble, over private comments he is alleged to have made about the Drumcree determination. Collins said those comments were out of line but had no bearing on the decision, and that his resignation was a matter for him.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill met Garvaghy Road residents and said the community was anxious. She said the days of pushing parades or negative experiences on any community would not be tolerated. Breandan Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents’ Coalition said the Orange Order parade had finished in 1998 and would not be repeated.

The Orange Order has confirmed it intends to apply for another Drumcree parade in the coming days. Dawson said the Order was willing to enter mediation with residents. A residents’ representative said discussions would be pointless if the Orange Order had a pre-determined outcome.

The commission was notified of approximately 3,800 parades last year, judged 172 to be sensitive and imposed restrictions on 142.