19 November 1998 Edition
Patton to appeal expulsion
The `rebel' Orangeman Joel Patton - as he is dubbed by the media - is to appeal a decision by the Tyrone Orange Order to expel him. Patton had been charged with bringing the Order into disrepute.
Patton maintains that with the backing of other Spirit of Drumcree Orangemen he will force Grand Lodge to reverse a decision made by the Tyrone Lodge last Tuesday 10 November to expel him and Killyman district secretary Walter Millar.
Both were disciplined over a verbal attack Patton launched on fellow Orangeman Rev William Bingham at the Twelfth parade in Pomeroy in July. Bingham had called on Portadown Orangemen to call off their protest at Drumcree after the killings of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney.
After his expulsion Patton remained defiant saying, ``I will be a symbol of resistance and defiance against what we see as betrayal''.
Patton maintains that with the backing of other Spirit of Drumcree Orangemen he will force Grand Lodge to reverse a decision made by the Tyrone Lodge last Tuesday 10 November to expel him and Killyman district secretary Walter Millar.
Both were disciplined over a verbal attack Patton launched on fellow Orangeman Rev William Bingham at the Twelfth parade in Pomeroy in July. Bingham had called on Portadown Orangemen to call off their protest at Drumcree after the killings of the Quinn brothers in Ballymoney.
After his expulsion Patton remained defiant saying, ``I will be a symbol of resistance and defiance against what we see as betrayal''.