The Police Service of Northern Ireland blocked an early morning attempt by the Orange Order to march along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, following a stand-off that began on Sunday.

A group of Orangemen moved from Drumcree Church towards the route at around 4am on Monday, but a line of PSNI Land Rovers prevented them from proceeding. The men had been waiting at the church, about a mile from the road, after a scheduled parade was blocked by hundreds of residents and supporters on Sunday.

The Parades Commission had authorised a silent march of 35 participants with strict conditions, marking the first time the Orange Order had been permitted to complete the route since 1998. However, protesters gathered on the nationalist Garvaghy Road and prevented the march from going ahead.

Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O'Neill joined the protest on Sunday and later described the community's action as a victory. DUP leader Gavin Robinson accused her of acting unlawfully and called for consequences.

Portadown District LOL No 1 issued a statement on Monday criticising the PSNI's handling of the situation and calling for the resignation of Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson.

The statement said the police had failed to uphold a lawful determination and had treated the unionist community with disdain.

A spokesperson for the Orange Order said the group remained at Drumcree Church and would continue to press for the parade to be completed.

Breandán Mac Cionnaith of the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition told protesters on Sunday night that he had received commitments that the parade would not proceed overnight. He said he would meet the chief constable and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant on Monday for talks.

The Northern Ireland Office has appealed for calm and urged all sides to seek compromise. The dispute has raised concerns about the stability of the power-sharing institutions at Stormont.