Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant has announced that he has banned the contentious Drumcree parade.

Sir Chris told the Press Association it had not been possible to find accommodation between the Orange Order and nationalist residents of the Garvaghy Road in Portadown.

He had been under growing pressure to act after a stand-off between the two sides that has lasted almost two weeks.

His decision has been welcomed by Sinn Féin and the SDLP, but DUP leader Gavin Robinson said he now needs to “explain what his Government intends to do to restore confidence in the rule of law”.

Irish premier Micheál Martin said the decision will come as a “significant relief” to the community on the Garvaghy Road.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson indicated to the Press Association on Friday night that an emergency judicial review was being planned against Sir Chris’s decision.

The Parades Commission ruled two weeks ago that the march could pass along the road in Co Armagh with restrictions in place.

But the parade, from Drumcree Church into Portadown, did not happen because of a large protest on the route.

Earlier on Friday, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had asked the Northern Ireland Secretary to review the determination.

Announcing his decision, Sir Chris told PA: “Everybody will have seen over the last two weeks that there’s been a major standoff and a difficult situation in Drumcree and Portadown.

“I’ve been trying to find a solution to that stand-off.

“I’ve had both sides of the argument, both the Garvaghy Road residents and the Orange Order in.

“We’ve been talking it through, trying to find a solution, and unfortunately, we’ve not been able to do that.”

He added: “Earlier today, the chief constable of the PSNI got in touch with me and asked me to look at the original determination by the Parades Commission to see whether it should still stand, and I’ve looked at the changing situation in Portadown, the fact that it’s very difficult for that procession to proceed, and I’ve decided that it’s not in the public interest for it to proceed, and I’ve therefore banned the procession.”

He said he had not taken the decision lightly.

He said: “As the courts affirmed, the Portadown District had a lawful determination from the Parades Commission allowing the procession.

“I want to thank the Portadown LOL No 1 for their peaceful and law-abiding approach and their co-operation at all points with the PSNI.

“Respect for the rule of law is fundamental to our society and I am grateful to those who have behaved peacefully and legally and sought to ease tensions in their respective communities. Those who have acted unlawfully should face the consequences of their actions.

“I am also grateful to all those who took part in good faith in the negotiations at Hillsborough.

“I heard the concerns of people on all sides and I only regret that we could not reach a compromise on a way forward and that many residents across Portadown have felt anxious and worried.

“With this in mind, I call for all protests, rallies and demonstrations to be stood down. There is no excuse for a continued ratcheting up of tensions.”

PSNI Chief Constable Mr Boutcher welcomed the decision.

He said: “I highlighted that the current and continuing costs and impact upon the Police Service of Northern Ireland were significant and in the context of our existing funding challenges could not be sustained indefinitely.

“I welcome the Secretary of State’s decision. This past two weeks has had a marked impact on relationships within and between communities and the police.

“It is in everyone’s interest that time and space is now created for conversations about finding long- term solutions to this complex and sensitive issue.”

The decision by Sir Chris was met with cheers at the Drumcree Community Centre on the Garvaghy Road on Friday night.

In a joint statement, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O’Neill said: “Today belongs to the residents of the Garvaghy Road, who have shown remarkable strength and dignity in the face of provocation and intimidation.

“There will be an enormous sense of relief within the community this evening.

“For two weeks, local residents have endured fear and anxiety through no fault of their own. They never asked for this wound to be reopened, yet they faced these challenges with courage, determination and enormous resilience.

“They now need time and space to heal and recover.”

But DUP leader Gavin Robinson said the rule of law in Northern Ireland had been “fatally undermined”.

He said: “The decision of the Chief Constable to refer the matter to the Secretary of State and his conclusion that the parade cannot proceed is a direct result of republican agitation, mobilisation and the looming threats of potential violence.

“These decisions are a mistake, and send profound signals that the country should be run on force of numbers and who shouts the loudest.

“The framework for both parading and protests now lies in tatters and the rule of law has been fundamentally undermined.”

Mr Robinson added: “The Secretary of State is going to have to explain what his Government intends to do to restore confidence in the rule of law.”

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said the decision should have been made two weeks ago.

She added: “The reality is that this parade should never have been given permission in the first place and it never should again.

“What followed was weeks of unnecessary tension, disruption to residents’ lives, enormous pressure on policing and damage to community relations that will take time to repair.”

Breandán Mac Cionnaith from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition said rerouting the parade away from the road was the only “sensible, reasonable and logical outcome”.

Taoiseach Mr Martin said he was glad there was closure for residents of the Garvaghy Road.

He said: “I want to acknowledge also that the Secretary of State’s decision will be a disappointment to some, including members of the Portadown Lodge and others.

“The events of the past two weeks have been a stark reminder of the essential work of reconciliation.

“My focus in the time ahead will be to redouble efforts to build understanding and consensus across communities and political traditions around a shared future for all who live on this island.

“I encourage and welcome the participation of all political and community leaders in this work.”

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee welcomed the “certainty” brought by the decision to ban the Drumcree parade.

She said: “It is important to acknowledge that the situation on the ground has at all times remained peaceful and safe.

“That was only possible because of a huge amount of work by people from right across the community and political spectrum and of course the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

“I know the personal strain that this has placed on individuals and communities and we owe them our thanks.”