Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant has rejected claims he gave in to violence when he banned the Drumcree parade in Portadown.

The minister intervened on Friday to stop the Orange Order returning along Garvaghy Road after police said they could not facilitate it. Crowds had gathered on the mainly nationalist road in opposition to the parade, which had been permitted for the first time in almost 30 years.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson criticised the decision, saying Bryant had "bent the knee" to threats of violence and disorder. Bryant said the accusation was wrong.

"I haven't succumbed to violence. I have made sure that there is peace," he told BBC Good Morning Ulster.

Bryant said he had tried to broker a compromise between the Orange Order and Garvaghy Road residents, but talks fell through. He said there were loud voices on both sides against compromise.

He called for moderation in language and praised police handling of the event, saying most of it had passed without violence.

Bryant also said the Parades Commission, which rules on contentious marches, needs to command maximum possible support. He said Justice O'Hara is reviewing the commission's internal workings.

Meanwhile, an application has been made to the Parades Commission for a march along the lower Ormeau Road in Belfast, a previous flashpoint. Belfast Walker Club, a branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, has requested a parade on November 7.

The route would start at Ballynafeigh Orange Hall, pass along the Ormeau Road, cross Ormeau Bridge, and continue to Donegall Pass. Loyal order parades have been prevented from crossing Ormeau Bridge since 1999.