Police chief says homophobia apology could ‘unfairly impugn' past officers
Greater Manchester Police 's Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, has declined to apologise to the LGBT+ community for historical homophobia within the force, a move criticised by campaigners as an "insult".
Human rights charity the Peter Tatchell Foundation requested all forces apologise for decades of LGBT+ victimisation. Twenty-one other forces have issued formal apologies.
Mr Watson stated that a sweeping apology could be seen as "superficial" and "unfairly impugn" past officers, while acknowledging GMP did not always meet expected standards.
Peter Tatchell highlighted the force's troubling history under then-Chief Constable James Anderton in the 1980s, during the Aids crisis, when officers targeted gay venues.
Mr Tatchell argues that an apology is an act of justice and healing which could foster trust and encourage LGBT+ people to report crimes.
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