THE NEW grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has called for unionist unity to prevent Sinn Féin gaining the post of first minister in the Northern Ireland Executive after next May’s Assembly elections.
Edward Stevenson, who was elected unopposed as leader of the Orange Order yesterday at a meeting of 150 delegates in Ballykelly, Co Derry, also ruled out talks with Sinn Féin and the Parades Commission and said “there is no fear of me” attending a GAA fixture.
Mr Stevenson (55), a father of three who runs a 120-acre dairy farm in Ardstraw near Strabane is the first Orangeman from Co Tyrone to assume the leadership of the Loyal Order institution. He succeeds Robert Saulters, who was Orange Order leader for 14 years.
Mr Stevenson had been deputy grand master of the Orange Order for four years. He is the first rural leader in living memory.
His newly elected deputy is Rev Alistair Smyth, a Presbyterian minister from Carryduff who is a member of the Limavady Orange Order district.
Speaking after his election, Mr Stevenson said: “Over 300 members of the order were murdered by republican terrorists during the Troubles and there are still many wives, sons and daughters suffering today. My priority will be to work closely with them.
“ While I will be open and receptive to new ideas, there will not be a policy change in terms of meeting the Parades Commission.
“A change in leadership does not mean a change in policy but I would like new legislation introduced aimed at resolving all issues linked to parades,” he said.
“There is no fear of me attending a GAA fixture because too many GAA clubs are still named after convicted terrorists and for that reason they carry too much baggage for me,” he added.