Loyalists tonight branded the Parades Commission a "farce" after ending a six-and-a-half hour stand-off at a flash-point area of north Belfast.
The protest by the Ligoniel branch of the Apprentice Boys of Derry organisation began after they were blocked from their traditional route past the nationalist Ardoyne area.
A last-minute bid to broker a compromise which would see the loyalists travel through on a bus was rejected.
Spokesman Mr Tommy Cheevers was incensed that they were prevented by the RUC from driving their bus through the disputed area en route to joining the main parade in Derry.
Mr Cheevers said they would be consulting their lawyers about seeking a judicial review into the Parades Commission decision.
"The Commission told the police that a bus constituted having a parade. Therefore if they had allowed us through they would have been breaking the law," he said.
He claimed that the Commission had bowed to the threat of violence from nationalists.
The Ligoniel Walkers Club decided to remain beside police lines rather than drive to Derry to join the main parade, which passed off peacefully.
As the stand-off got under way a crowd of about 50 people had gathered on the Crumlin Road. But there was no sign of the violence that has plagued north Belfast in previous weeks.
PA