SDLP MLA Justin McNulty has confirmed that police delivered a letter to his home relating to his presence at a protest on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown on 27 September. In a social media post, McNulty said two police officers handed him the letter, which relates to events at the Garvaghy Road. The SDLP said it stands firmly behind McNulty\'s decision to stand with the Garvaghy Road community, adding that he will engage fully with any policing or judicial process.

The protest blocked an Orange Order parade that had been approved by the Parades Commission to march along the mainly nationalist road for the first time in nearly 30 years. Several high-profile politicians have received similar letters, including First Minister Michelle O\'Neill, Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey, and People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll. O\'Neill said she would cooperate with the investigation, while Carroll cited the right to peaceful protest.

The parade was ultimately banned by Secretary of State Chris Bryant after a request from Chief Constable Jon Boutcher. The chief constable has said there will be consequences for those found to have broken the law. A legal challenge to the ban was heard at Belfast High Court, with DUP leader Gavin Robinson calling for the chief constable to set out the full picture of the dissident threat behind the decision. Robinson said transparency is key, and if the threat was serious enough to halt a lawful parade, people should be told.

In a statement, the PSNI said the threat level in Northern Ireland remains at substantial, meaning an attack is likely, and that they remain vigilant in response to the threat posed by dissident republicans. The statement referenced incidents in Dunmurry and Lurgan earlier this year to underline the importance of vigilance.

Meanwhile, the PSNI has announced investigations into six processions that took place last week without notifying the Parades Commission. The parades were on the Shankill Road in west Belfast, Dunloy, Tennent Street in north Belfast, Bangor, the Waterside area of Londonderry, and Newtownabbey. Some loyalist bands have said they are suspending cooperation with the PSNI and Parades Commission over the Drumcree affair.

DUP Policing Board spokesman Trevor Clarke urged parade organisers and participants not to breach the law and to continue notifying the Parades Commission. Clarke said everyone should be equal under the law, and those who blocked the Garvaghy Road were in breach of a legally binding determination. He called on people not to have their standards set by law-breaking encouraged by Sinn Fein.

Portadown Orange District has announced a new parade and rally for Portadown on Saturday 24 October. The Parades Commission website does not show that the event has been notified. Anyone taking part in an unlawful parade or protest can face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of £5000.