Northumbria Police Newcastle Pride plans face fresh legal action
Ms Smith, who describes herself as a lesbian who is "gender critical", claimed Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine and her officers' participation in Pride 2024 meant they would have been unable to remain impartial if a dispute between those with similar beliefs and transgender rights supporters had occurred.Mr Justice Linden upheld her claim following a hearing at the High Court in Leeds, stating the chief constable's duty to uphold impartiality and the perception of it outweighed other considerations.
During the judicial review, the chief constable's lawyer confirmed Northumbria Police would not allow uniformed officers to take part in Pride 2025, which is set to begin on Saturday.However, the lawyer said off-duty officers would be able to take part while wearing T-shirts which indicated "they are serving officers".The force also said it intends for uniformed officers to staff a stall at the event, although they will not be allowed to exhibit Pride insignia.The judge made no ruling on Northumbria's plans for this year's event.
But Ms Smith, named Lindsey in the legal documents, described the 2025 plans as "plainly unlawful" and said she would take legal action if authorisation was not rescinded."Her [Mrs Jardine's] public statements in the light of the ruling show a complete absence of reflection on a judgement that was highly critical of her deeply flawed decision regarding Pride 2024 – a decision that caused her and her officers to breach their professional duties," she said.Ms Smith has called for the force to only allow police officers to attend the march "in a purely personal capacity" and for Pride insignia to be removed from police vehicles.
On Wednesday, the force said officers have "an important role to play in a variety of events"."During these events, while our primary aim is to keep people safe, it also provides us with an opportunity to engage with people including those who may have less confidence in policing," a spokesperson said."It is vitally important they feel supported and we continue to build their trust in us."That is why we felt it important to challenge the case which was brought against us and which has implications for wider policing."
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