Noel Gallagher and Susan Sarandon among celebrities to sign Drumcree march letter
Celebrities including Noel Gallagher and Susan Sarandon have signed a letter urging the Northern Ireland Secretary to appoint an international mediator for a dispute over a parade in Portadown. The letter supports residents' rights to peace and consent regarding marches in their area.
Why it matters
The involvement of high-profile figures highlights the ongoing sensitivity of sectarian-linked parading disputes in Northern Ireland.
Image source, Reuters/EPA/PA Media Image caption, Noel Gallagher, Susan Sarandon and Adrian Dunbar
Oasis' Noel Gallagher, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon and Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar are among dozens to sign a letter in support of residents in a stand-off over a decision to allow a parade down a predominantly nationalist road.
There has been 11 days of deadlock between Garvaghy Road residents and the local Orange Order over the proposed march in Portadown, County Armagh.
While peaceful, the stalemate has reopened what was once the most bitter parading dispute in Northern Ireland.
Other people to have signed the letter include musician Paul Weller, Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney and The Smiths' Johnny Marr.
The letter, addressed to Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant, calls on him to work with the Irish government to appoint an "independent international mediator" to "facilitate a robust, durable solution".
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