Writing in a recent opinion piece, the MP took the significant step of saying that unionism and loyalism had been unequivocal that the campaign against what they regard as a longstanding injustice would continue through peaceful and lawful means.
 
Commenting on the issue Ms Lockhart said: “There is no suggestion whatsoever from Portadown District, unionism or loyalism that there is any threat of violence or disorder if the next determination does not go the way that it should.
 
“For at least twenty-five of the last twenty-eight years there has not been so much as a stone thrown, despite the deep sense of grievance and injustice surrounding the continued restriction on Portadown District completing its church parade.”
 
“The message from our community is clear: we have chosen the law, not disorder,” explained Carla Lockhart MP.
 
She is added: “That is precisely what happened this week. Portadown District went to the High Court and secured a seismic legal victory which exposed serious and fundamental failings in the Parades Commission’s decision-making process.
 
“Against that backdrop, I am increasingly concerned by rhetoric from Sinn Fein, and others within nationalism, warning about a return to the ‘dark old days’ or suggesting that violence or disorder could follow a different determination.
 
“That begs a very simple question: violence or disorder from whom?”
 
Ms Lockhart continued: “Unionism and loyalism are not threatening it. Portadown District are not threatening it. I am categorically saying there should be no violence or disorder from our community, irrespective of the outcome of any future determination.
 
“Sinn Fein should now provide the same clarity!”
 
“If they are not suggesting that violence or disorder would emanate from nationalism or republicanism should Portadown District receive a favourable determination, then they should say so clearly and unequivocally.”
 
The MP added: “There should be no ambiguity and no veiled warnings about what might happen if, for the first time in twenty-eight years, Portadown District is permitted to complete its church parade.
 
“All sides should commit themselves to the same basic democratic principle: abide by lawful determinations and, where those decisions are believed to be flawed or unlawful, challenge them through the courts.
 
“That is the rule of law, and that is the path Portadown District has chosen.”
 
Turning to the future of the Parades Commission following this week’s High Court proceedings, Carla Lockhart MP said the present position was “unsustainable”.
 
She continued: “What emerged in the High Court was not some minor technical error. The issues exposed go to the very heart of lawful decision-making by a statutory public body.
 
“There were jaw-dropping revelations surrounding the process followed and comments made by Commissioners. People from every community should be concerned about what has been exposed.
 
“The Secretary of State has himself recognised that the Parades Commission must command support across the community. The present Commission simply does not command the confidence of unionism.”
 
Ms Lockhart stressed: “Warm words and assurances cannot restore that confidence.
 
“Commissioners must resign or be removed, and there must now be a judge-led independent review into the Commission’s governance, structures and accountability, including consideration of legislative change.
 
“For twenty-eight years Portadown District has maintained its campaign. This week demonstrated that the law can expose injustice and hold powerful public bodies to account.”

Concluding, the MP said: “We have chosen the law, not disorder. Sinn Fein should now make equally clear that whatever happens next, there will be no threat of violence or disorder from their community either.”