Foyle MP Colum Eastwood told the House of Commons that 21 Catholics were murdered during the Drumcree parade dispute in the late 1990s, including three children killed in a loyalist petrol bomb attack on their Ballymoney home in July 1998.

Eastwood said the decision to force a parade down Garvaghy Road was wrong and that the wound should never have been reopened. He said residents have had chaos visited upon them.

He asked Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant to work with the Irish government to invest in Portadown to rebuild relationships.

Bryant said the issue is still raw for many people. He said the Parades Commission decision to restrict the parade has been upheld by courts on repeated occasions.

Bryant said he did not revoke the decision after receiving a section 9 letter from police. He said security in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the UK government.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell urged Bryant to ensure anyone who acted unlawfully faces consequences. He asked if sanctions could be introduced to prevent someone who breaks the criminal law from holding public office.

Bryant said he has no intention of introducing primary legislation to change the Northern Ireland Act at this time, but said he is happy to consider proposals.

Eastwood also referred to the murder of Robert Hamill, which he said occurred against the background of problems in Portadown. Bryant said a report on Hamill's murder was published only weeks ago.