The protesters on the Garvaghy Road were joined by members of Sinn Féin and the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) throughout the day on Sunday.

Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill joined the protest, prompting the Democratic Unionist Party to accuse her of acting unlawfully.

Northern Ireland Secretary Sir Chris Bryant urged both sides to “double down on compromise”.

He said “nobody should be attending an unlawful protest”, but he added it was not his job “to decide whether somebody has or hasn’t broken the law”.

The two most senior members of Portadown Orange Order met Sir Chris at Hillsborough Castle on Monday. They described the hour-long talks as “constructive”.

Asked if they still intended to walk down the Garvaghy Road, district master Nigel Dawson said “the law needs to be applied”.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Carla Lockhart, who has been with the Orange Order members in Drumcree, called on police to ensure the parade can go ahead. She said “mob rule” cannot win.

Breandán Mac Cionnaith, from the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition, also met the secretary of state.

He said the Orange Order should use their outward route to Drumcree Church as their return route, rather than the Garvaghy Road.

Mac Cionnaith said he was agreeable to some form of mediation but did not trust the Orange Order.

Following a meeting with Sir Chris, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said her party “remain concerned” for the community, that even though the march did not go ahead, they need to know they can “breathe easy again” and “that they don’t have the threat of a march being forced through their neighbourhood“.

Meanwhile, Sir Chris said he was still “exploring every option”.

He said talks on Monday had been “positive so far” and that there were many people acting “in good faith for a good outcome”.