Latest news with #AlanSpeirs
The National
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Police pulled from Glasgow Pride over 'impartiality' concerns
The decision comes after the High Court ruled that Northumbria Police breached its duty of neutrality by allowing officers to participate in a Pride event in uniform. In response, Police Scotland has confirmed that no officers will take part in the Glasgow Pride march in uniform, a reversal from previous years where police presence was seen as a symbol of support and inclusivity. READ MORE: Martin Compston says Unionist abuse made him stop independence posts Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs stated: 'We will continue to engage closely with event organisers, although no officers will participate in forthcoming events in uniform.' He added: 'We continue to review the UK High Court judgment on Northumbria Police's participation in Newcastle Pride 2024 and its implications.' 'We will ensure Police Scotland's response to events continues to be in line with our values and code of ethics, providing a professional and impartial service which upholds the human rights of all.' In 2023, dozens of officers were paid to take part in Pride events, with many visibly supporting LGBTQ+ communities by marching with flags and signing inclusive banners. Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff was among those who supported the initiative, saying she wanted her division to be the 'most inclusive area in Police Scotland". However, after this week's legal ruling, even planned lower-level engagement like community stalls has been cancelled. The Scottish Police Federation, which represents frontline officers, supported the decision while reaffirming its values. General Secretary David Kennedy said: 'We proudly support the principles and values of the Pride movement ... but participating in any march while on duty, including Pride, can give rise to questions around neutrality.' He added: 'Officers who wish to take part in Pride events in their own time should be supported and encouraged to do so.' READ MORE: NHS Fife staff 'faced violent threats' amid Sandie Peggie tribunal Critics argue that the move reflects growing political pressure on public institutions to distance themselves from progressive causes. According to Mail Online reports, Kath Murray, of gender-critical think tank Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, described police participation in past Pride events as 'institutional capture.' For many LGBTQ+ advocates, the absence of uniformed officers marks a significant setback in the effort to build trust, safety, and equality in policing. ScottishTrans have been contacted for comment.
Scottish Sun
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Police Scotland ban uniformed officers from taking part in Pride march
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTTISH cops have been banned from marching in pride parades while on-duty. An LGBT+ march will be held on the streets of Glasgow today, but unlike previous years there will be no uniformed cops taking part. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A pride parade will be held in Glasgow today Credit: Getty 4 Uniformed cops will not be taking part Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow 4 The march decision followed a ruling from the High Court Credit: Tom Farmer It comes after an English police force was found to have "breached impartiality" by the High Court. Northumbria Police's Chief Constable was found to have acted unlawfully by allowing uniformed cops to take in part in last year's Newcastle Pride. It was argued officers taking part in the parade could harm the force's impartiality if a dispute kicked off between gender-critical and trans rights supporters. After the ruling, Scottish cops are now not marching in the event today in Glasgow. It is understood uniformed officers were already not taking part in the parade, but the court ruling saw force chiefs ditch plans for information stalls had been ditched. Officers will still be able to attend the pride parade if they are off duty. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs told the Daily Mail: "Police Scotland has vast experience in policing events and in the coming days we will continue to do so in a professional, engaging, and proportionate manner. "Glasgow's Pride will be no different and we will continue to engage closely with event organisers, although no officers will participate in forthcoming events in uniform. "We continue to review the UK High Court judgement on Northumbria Police's participation in Newcastle Pride 2024 and its implications. "We will ensure Police Scotland's response to events continues to be in line with our values and code of ethics, providing a professional and impartial service which upholds the human rights of all." NYC Pride ends in chaos after teen girl shot in the head near Stonewall Inn hours after 50 hurt by bear spray attack The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file cops welcomed the decision. SPF General Secretary David Kennedy said they support the values of pride but said officers taking part in any kind of march could harm the force's objectivity. He said: "The SPF proudly supports the principles and values of the Pride movement, including equality, inclusion, and the right of all individuals - regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - to live free from discrimination and prejudice. "Participating in any march while on duty, including Pride, can give rise to questions around neutrality and may impact perceptions of police objectivity. "Officers who wish to take part in Pride events in their own time should be supported and encouraged to do so, and we welcome efforts to facilitate this wherever possible. 'Supporting Pride and supporting operational clarity are not mutually exclusive—we believe both can, and should, co-exist."
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Now Police Scotland chiefs say no uniformed officers to take part in Pride march
Police officers in uniform will not take part in a Pride event in Scotland's biggest city on Saturday following a landmark High Court judgment. The Mail revealed yesterday that bosses of the force faced mounting pressure to ban officers from participating in the controversial marches. On Wednesday, the High Court ruled that Northumbria Police, one of Britain's largest forces, breached impartiality by marching at an LGBT + event. On Friday Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said no uniformed officers would march at Pride in Glasgow today - in contrast with the situation last year, when dozens of officers were paid to take part. It is understood that a decision had been taken not to participate prior to the court ruling - but plans for minor 'engagement' were dropped after the High Court judgment. This could have included officers manning stalls or taking part in related events at the Pride march. Last night Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: 'This is a welcome decision by Police Scotland. 'Given the SNP's sustained cuts to frontline policing, it is common sense that resources should be directed towards keeping people safe.' Explaining the police position, Mr Speirs said: 'Police Scotland has vast experience in policing events and in the coming days we will continue to do so in a professional, engaging, and proportionate manner. 'Glasgow's Pride will be no different and we will continue to engage closely with event organisers, although no officers will participate in forthcoming events in uniform. 'We continue to review the UK High Court judgment on Northumbria Police's participation in Newcastle Pride 2024 and its implications. 'We will ensure Police Scotland's response to events continues to be in line with our values and code of ethics, providing a professional and impartial service which upholds the human rights of all.' The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), representing rank-and-file officers, and former senior officers, had backed the High Court ruling earlier this week, piling pressure on top brass to ban uniformed police participation in Pride events. Last night SPF general secretary David Kennedy said it 'proudly supports the principles and values of the Pride movement, including equality, inclusion, and the right of all individuals - regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity - to live free from discrimination and prejudice'. But he added that 'we also support the operational judgment that police officers should not march in uniform while on duty at Pride events'. Mr Kennedy said: 'Participating in any march while on duty, including Pride, can give rise to questions around neutrality and may impact perceptions of police objectivity. 'Officers who wish to take part in Pride events in their own time should be supported and encouraged to do so, and we welcome efforts to facilitate this wherever possible. 'Supporting Pride and supporting operational clarity are not mutually exclusive—we believe both can, and should, co-exist.' Welcoming the High Court ruling, Kate Barker, chief executive of LGB Alliance, the UK's only LGB charity (excluding transgender people) said last night: 'LGB people have been deeply distressed by how it has become hijacked by gender identity ideology in recent years.' In July last year, the Mail revealed that police officers in Scotland were paid to take part in Pride parades despite the force cutting back on fighting crime. Uniformed officers were urged to represent the overstretched force at LGBT+ events in exchange for either pay or a day off in lieu. Meanwhile, the Mail can also reveal that officers have signed Pride flags in a show of solidarity with the LGBT+ movement. In 2023, officers were photographed signing flags as part of Pride Month. Argyll and West Dunbartonshire officers marked the occasion by signing a Pride flag which was sent round police stations. Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, who was the final person to sign it to show she was an LGBT+ 'ally', said she wanted her division to be the 'most inclusive area in Police Scotland'. In 2022, a Pride flag was sent round police stations in Edinburgh to 'allow officers to sign it to show support to LGBT colleagues and communities'. Last night Kath Murray of gender-critical think-tank Murray Blackburn Mackenzie said it is 'hard to think of a clearer example of institutional capture than literally signing allegiance' to the Pride flag.
Edinburgh Reporter
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
New probationers swear amended oath of office that includes duty of candour
One hundred probationers have made the police constable declaration in front of members of Police Scotland's Chief Officer Team. The new recruits are the first cohort to swear the newly amended oath of office which now includes a duty of candour and which brings the number of standards of professional behaviour for officers to 11. The duty of candour was created under the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act following Lady Elish Angiolini's review of police complaints in November, 2020. The review made 81 recommendations with 34 requiring legislative change to be implemented. Duty of candour means officers act with openness, professionalism and truthfulness in their dealings and proceedings. It makes clear that they attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings, including all investigations, openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs thanked the new recruits for stepping forward to keep communities safe as he addressed them at an oath ceremony in Jackton. He said: 'Taking on the responsibilities and duties of a police officer is a deeply considered decision and I thank every one of them for stepping forward to help safeguard our communities. 'They are signing up to a hugely rewarding and demanding career where people will turn to them for help, often in the most critical and vulnerable circumstances. 'Taking the oath of office is a significant moment for our latest recruits and the new duty of candour further cements our commitment to values-based policing. 'It is a legislative standard of behaviour as well as an organisational requirement of all officers and staff and came into effect on 25 June this year. 'The new legislation puts an enhanced focus on our values and standards. It strengthens our integrity and increases public confidence by making clear that Police Scotland will not tolerate behaviours which fall below the standards expected of everyone in policing.' The one hundred probationers swore the oath of office at ceremonies across the country attended by members of Police Scotland's Chief Officer Team. They will be ready for operational deployment following their 14 weeks' training programme. Police Scotland is recruiting officers. If you are ready for a job like no other, start your application on our website now. Like this: Like Related
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Police Scotland to seek Government help with ‘considerable' costs of Trump visit
It emerged on Wednesday that the force was in the early stages of planning for a visit at the end of this month, though a final date is yet to be confirmed. The visit, which would likely see the president visit one or both of his golf clubs in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, will require substantial policing resources and likely units to be called in from elsewhere in the UK. Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said Police Scotland will be discussing costs with the Scottish and UK Governments. 'You wouldn't be surprised that the cost of policing such an event would be considerable, and we will work with Government around the provision of costs,' he said. But Police Scotland staffing levels will not drop elsewhere in the country during any visit, the senior officer said. He added: 'We will seek support for the financial costs associated with such an event and I'd be confident that those costs will be met.' Asked if the funding would come from the Scottish Government, Mr Speirs said: 'That'll be a conversation we would have with Scottish Government, linking into UK Government, in the coming days and it would be part of our planning for the event.' The last time Mr Trump came to Scotland – in between his two terms as US president – he was met with substantial protests. Mr Speirs said he was confident Police Scotland would be able to deal with any protests, urging those who would want to demonstrate to 'do it in a fair and reasonable way and within the realms of the law'. 'We're in the early stages (of planning) and we're unclear just as to what that will be for this event,' he said. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has been working collaboratively with the UK Government to support Police Scotland's planning for a potential visit to Scotland by the President of the United States. 'The First Minister has been briefed on policing preparations.'
