Police participation in Pride ruled 'unlawful'
Getty ImagesA chief constable's decision to allow uniformed police officers to take part in a Pride march was unlawful, a judge has ruled.
A case was brought against Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine by Linzi Smith, from Newcastle, who describes herself as a lesbian who is "gender critical".
Ms Smith argued Mrs Jardine and her officers' participation in Newcastle Pride last year meant they would have been unable to remain impartial if a dispute between those with similar beliefs and transgender rights supporters, had occurred.
The force said it would work through the ruling to understand the implications but would remain true to its values of "fairness, visibility, and support for all".
In a judgement issued on Wednesday after a High Court hearing in Leeds earlier this month, Mr Justice Linden said Mrs Jardine's decision to allow officers to take part in the event was "outside the range of reasonable decisions open to her".
He said Mrs Jardine appeared to have mistakenly believed her responsibilities under the Equality Act could outweigh her duty to be impartial when, in fact, impartiality was the primary requirement.
Ms Smith said she was "delighted" with the court's judgement, feeling the force had "abandoned their duty of impartiality and embraced a highly controversial political cause".
"Their participation in the Pride march clearly shows where their sympathies lie," she said.
"My hope is Northumbria Police change their ways and follow this ruling. If they do, they will be policing the community for everyone."
The Free Speech UnionMs Smith believes that whether someone is a man or a woman is defined by their biology, not by the gender with which they identify.
Her lawyers told the court she believes the Newcastle Pride takes an opposing position, supporting transgender campaigners and gender ideology.
The court was told a "contingent of uniformed officers" led by the chief constable joined last year's march, some displaying transgender flag colours or holding Police Pride flags, and "marched in the immediate proximity of those carrying the flags and emblems clearly associated with the gender ideologists' cause".
Ms Smith's lawyers argued this breached the force's duty of impartiality.
Northumbria Police defended its decision to participate in the event but told the court only off-duty police officers would be permitted to take part in 2025 and would not be allowed to wear uniforms.
The force stall would be staffed by uniformed officers who would not be allowed to exhibit Pride insignia, it said.
The force said participating in Pride allowed it to be visible in the LGBT community.
It said the chief constable believed the its participation in Pride was one way to demonstrate "the stigma which has traditionally afflicted members of the LGBT+ community will not be reflected" in the community's interactions with police.
Its aim during events was to keep people safe but they provided an "opportunity to engage with people including those who may have less confidence in policing", it said.
"That is why we felt it important to challenge the case which was brought against us and which has implications for wider policing."
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, who chairs the National Police Chiefs' Council, said it would ensure the legal decision was communicated to other forces and was working with the College of Policing on broader guidance.
Ms Smith previously threatened to sue Newcastle United when she was banned from St James' Park after the football club received complaints that some tweets she had made online were derogatory towards trans people.