The former Culture Minister said the Sinn Féin leader does not understand the Orange Order and that his remarks at Bodenstown could inflame tensions ahead of contentious parades.

“It’s not the first time that he has completely and comprehensively failed to understand the nature of the Orange tradition in Northern Ireland.

“It’s more than unhelpful; it’s downright dangerous. He fails to understand the steps the Orange Order have taken in training marshalls and opening up their institution for outreach to other communities to give them a better understanding of the Orange tradition. All of that work is being completely overlooked,” he said.

Mr Campbell also suggested the deputy first minister’s comments were motivated by splits within the republican community.

“It is an attack on the Orange Order because he and his members are having difficulties in the republican community in trying to get some members of that community to support them.

The East Derry MP said Martin McGuinness’ comments could be used as a justification by anti-Orange elements.

“It is as if they are saying to the dissidents that they are empathising with them. They may been be taken by those who oppose the Orange Order as some form of approval,” he said.