Jamieson raises alarm over bail disparity between Ballymena and Londonderry disorder

TUV Braid councillor Christopher Jamieson has called for urgent clarification from the Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions over what he described as “deeply concerning” discrepancies in how police bail decisions have been handled following recent public disorder in Ballymena and Londonderry.

In a statement issued on Friday (20 June), Mr Jamieson revealed he had been contacted by multiple constituents expressing unease at the apparent difference in police and prosecutorial response between the two locations, both of which experienced serious sectarian incidents within days of each other.

“I have been contacted by a number of constituents who are deeply concerned about the apparent discrepancy in how police bail has been handled following the serious sectarian rioting in Londonderry last night, compared to the arrests made in Ballymena last week,” he said.

The TUV representative pointed to reports suggesting that individuals arrested in connection with the disorder in Londonderry were released on police bail, while those apprehended in Ballymena were instead charged, presented before the courts, and denied bail.

“There are even reports of juveniles from Ballymena being remanded in custody, while a very different approach seems to have been taken in Londonderry,” he added.

Jamieson warned that the visible disparity in treatment risks damaging public trust in the impartiality of the justice system.

“Such disparity does nothing to ease tensions and only fuels the perception of a two-tier system of justice,” he stressed.

“The criminal justice system must not only be fair, but must also be seen to be fair. People must not be left with the impression that the disorder in Londonderry — which the Chief Constable himself described as ‘blatant sectarian violence’ — is being treated more leniently.”

The councillor also highlighted a long-standing concern regarding the treatment of the Protestant community in Londonderry, particularly around the traditional marching season.

“Londonderry has long been plagued, particularly at this time of year, by violence directed towards its minority Protestant population. It is high time that this was dealt with with the seriousness it deserves — not only by the police and the courts, but by the media as well.”

To address the matter directly, Jamieson has submitted formal correspondence to both the Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions, requesting an explanation for what he described as “differing approaches.”

“The public deserves transparency and reassurance that the law is applied consistently, without fear or favour,” he concluded.

The controversy emerges at a sensitive time in Northern Ireland, where issues of perceived imbalance in policing and prosecution have long been flashpoints within the wider debate on community relations and public trust in law enforcement.