The Orange Order has insisted its members are being persecuted after withdrawing a plan to march in Glasgow.

Bands will not parade tomorrow (Saturday) after Glasgow City Council ruled that the Order would not be allowed to go past St Alphonsus’ Church in Calton.

High-ranking officials from the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland were told that they could march in an alternative route which missed out Stevenson Street, where the church is based.

But they have refused to take that option.

Police Scotland Superintendent John McBride claimed riot police would be pulled in from all over Scotland to combat a major counter-protest, if the walk went past the church.

Online groups had called for action to defend the church following ugly scenes on July 7, when priest Canon Tom White was allegedly attacked during the annual Boyne march.

READ MORE: Orange Order cancels Glasgow march after council ordered it to stay away from Catholic church

But a spokesman for the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland said: “The decision to withdraw the application was made by members of the local Lodge. 

READ MORE: Riot police would have been deployed to combat Orange Order march

“There is considerable alarm amongst members now that Glasgow City Council has in-effect declared some streets as no-go zones based on religion.

“Everyone has the right to peaceful assembly, and these rights should not be restricted simply because people don’t share the same opinions. 

“The Grand Orange Lodge intends to support our local Lodges in this matter. 

“We will be seeking meetings with all relevant authorities regarding the discrimination being directed at members of the Orange Lodge in this local community, law-abiding people who have done nothing to justify this persecution.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman also confirmed that plans to hold a parade tomorrow have been withdrawn.

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The public processions committee decided that the Order would have to change its proposed route tomorrow starting in Tullis Street and going through Main Street, MacKeith Street, James Street, The Green, Newhall Street, Dunn Street, London Road, Bridgton Cross, James Street, MacKeith Street, Main Street and Tullis Street.

However, the Order will not now march at all tomorrow.

The one-day ban on the order going past St Alphonsus’ Church came after Superintendent McBride said: The intelligence does indicate that there is a request from a group who has called for ‘any other like-minded individuals’ to attend. It invites certain elements of society who potentially see this as an opportunity to cause disorder.

“If this parade was allowed to go ahead it would be specially trained public processions officers that were involved. In your mind’s eye think of riot police without the helmets. They would ensure that any unsavoury element of protest or counter protest would not lead to disorder. It would be at least five times the usual number of officers.”

The Archdiocese of Glasgow claimed parishioners were afraid and anxious about the potential of the march going ahead.

But the Order hit back, claiming the city council’s decision was discriminatory.