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Edinburgh Council approves powder-keg Orange Order march days before Scottish independence referendum

A potentially explosive Orange Order march planned days before the referendum lacks “any value whatsoever” — but was approved by Edinburgh councillors yesterday.

About 15,000 Protestant marchers are expected to roll through the Scottish capital on September 13 after the decision from the council’s licensing committee.

Convener and SNP councillor Gavin Barrie said that he did not believe “anyone on this committee thinks this parade adds any value whatsoever to the referendum debate and, if anything, detracts from the important issues that should be discussed.”

But Mr Barrie conceded that the order was registered with the Electoral Commission and had “some protection” under human rights law.

The announcement follows 18 arrests and the hospitalisation of a 13-year-old girl hit in the face with a broken bottle during a Glasgow Orange march earlier this month.

The controversial marches are a show of strength that ostensibly commemorates William III’s 1693 victory in Ireland over the forces of Catholic James II.

Order member Ian Wilson of the group’s planning committee said they anticipated “a celebration of Britishness.”

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