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Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Police chiefs under pressure to ban on-duty officers from joining Pride marches following High Court ruling
Police in Scotland should be banned from taking part in Pride marches while on duty following a landmark High Court ruling, rank-and-file officers said last night. They face being prevented from joining in the parades after the court ruled on Wednesday that one of Britain's largest forces breached impartiality by marching at an LGBT + event. A judicial review was brought by a gender-critical campaigner who argued that Northumbria Police broke the professional oath sworn by police officers to act 'with impartiality'. Officers had a stall at last year's Pride parade in Newcastle, marched under the Progress flag promoting transgender ideology and painted a police van in trans colours, while Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine was pictured at the event. Last night Police Scotland came under pressure to ban staff participation in the events, as the High Court ruling was heralded as the 'end of woke policing'. Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: 'The public expect the primary role of police officers to be fighting crime and upholding community safety, so this ruling is a potential landmark moment. 'At a time of low officer numbers and savage cuts to the police budgets on the SNP's watch, attending parades is not what Scots expect to be a priority. 'It is common sense that public safety should always be the top priority for the force.' A Pride march is set to take place in Glasgow tomorrow (SAT). Police Scotland was asked if any officers are likely to participate this year. In his ruling at the High Court in Leeds, Mr Justice Linden said Northumbria Police might be seen by the public to be 'taking sides' in the women's rights debate. Linzi Smith, 34, the claimant in the judicial review, has said she will take further legal action against the force if Northumbria goes ahead with plans to allow off-duty officers to wear T-shirts identifying themselves as such at this year's event. The force declined to comment on whether it would change its position and said it was working through the judge's ruling. Last night David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, said he backed the court ruling. He said: 'The problem is where do you draw the line? If an officer is a member of the Orange Order and wants to take part in an Orange walk while in police uniform, for example, would you allow that – how would that go down? 'Police have to do their job in an apolitical way - without fear or favour. 'The lines had become blurred but this judgment clarifies the situation.' Mr Kennedy said he believed officers in civilian clothes on their time off should be allowed to participate, for example by carrying flags or banners, but they should not wear uniform. Writing in today's Mail, Dave Marshall, a former Grampian Police constable and an ex-Chief Superintendent at the College of Policing and the British Transport Police, said: 'The end of woke policing may be at hand thanks to a landmark High Court judgment which means that police participation in LGBT+ Pride events is unlawful. 'As a senior police officer, I had been banging that drum for many years. 'My professional view had always been that taking part in Pride parades - in the same way that participating in any kind of activist cause whether it be animal rights, Scottish Independence, or Black Lives Matters - simply does not square with the concept of an impartial police service.' 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. Around 25 uniformed officers took part in the march through Glasgow, wearing special LGBT rainbow epaulettes, and flanked by a marked car and van draped in Pride flags. The group, which included some senior officers, would have accrued around £5,000 in wage costs. At the time of the Pride march in Glasgow last summer, Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said Pride officers' participation was 'considered by line managers to ensure there is no impact on operational policing'. Last year, Chief Constable Jo Farrell issued a formal apology for 'recent and historical injustices' suffered by 'lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex' people. Writing on LinkedIn, former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher said: 'Diversity is not, nor can it be, an end unto itself. 'This approach for the last 20 years has created this mess. 'One of the core purposes of the police is to prevent and detect crime. 'This is what diversity should be supporting, not replacing, as has sadly been the case in recent years and has led perversely to a breakdown of trust with some communities over perceived favouritism of others, as Wednesday's judgement indicates.' It is understood Police Scotland is reviewing the High Court judgment.
Telegraph
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Police wrong to join Pride march, judge rules
A police force failed to act impartially when it allowed officers to take part in a Gay Pride and transgender rights march, a court has ruled. Linzi Smith, 34, a gender-critical lesbian, brought a case against Northumbria Police after officers, including Vanessa Jardine, the head of the force, took part in last year's parade in Newcastle. Ms Smith argued that it was wrong to allow uniformed officers to actively participate in an event that promoted gender ideology and was supported by transgender activists. Responding to the ruling, Ms Smith said: 'I am delighted with the judgment of the court. It is terrifying to live in a community where the police have abandoned their duty of impartiality and embraced a highly controversial political cause.' In the legal claim, officers were accused of joining in the march; stationing a police van decked out in Pride colours at the event and associating with messaging that supported gender ideology. The hearing was told there was also a Northumbria Police static display staffed by uniformed officers and a transgender Pride flag incorporating the force's insignia. Ms Smith argued that while she accepted it was necessary for the Pride march to be policed it was wrong for officers to actively participate because it breached their professional oath to operate with impartiality. Allowing the judicial review, Mr Justice Linden said: 'The fact that the officers had publicly stated their support for transgender rights by taking part in the 2024 march would be likely to give the impression that they may not deal with the matter fairly and impartially.' He went on: 'It is not hard to imagine circumstances in which the officers in question might be called on to deal with a clash between gender critical people and supporters of gender ideology, and therefore situations where the former had cause for concern as to whether they were being dealt with impartially.' The court also heard how during the march there were pro-Palestinian protesters chanting slogans such as: 'From the River To The Sea, Palestine Will Be Free', 'No Pride in Genocide' and 'Toute le monde deteste la police'. The case was supported by Kathleen Stock, a gender-critical professor, and Harry Miller, co-founder of the campaign group Fair Cop, which seeks to 'remove politics from policing'. Professor Stock said: 'For me, the sight of the Northumbria Police either participating in Pride marches, supporting Pride events in public statements, or using or encouraging the use of Progress or rainbow flags, emblems, lanyards or other symbols associated with trans causes in a public-facing way, conveys its support for gender ideology. 'If that is not the force's intention, it is certainly its effect.' It is not clear how the ruling will impact on the force's plans to police this year's event, which is taking place this weekend. Mr Miller said: 'The significance of this ruling means that in future the police will attend events like this at their peril. 'But it is sad that we had to go to court to challenge something that was so blindingly obvious.' He said the ruling should bring an end to police officers attending such events and wearing associated livery. 'The clarity in the ruling should have a profound effect on Chief Constables across the UK,' Mr Miller told the Telegraph. 'Pride is political in the same way that any protest is political. Police engagement should therefore be solely operational. No lanyards, flags, whistles or painted cars. Just good, honest bobbies remaining polite and keeping the peace.' In his concluding remarks the judge said the findings only related to the 2024 event, adding: 'It will be a matter for the Defendant to consider, in the light of what I have said in this judgment, whether her current proposed approach to the 2025 Event should remain as it is.' In a statement following the ruling, a spokesman for Northumbria Police said: 'The officers, staff and volunteers of Northumbria Police are dedicated and passionate about providing each and every person of our wonderful region with an outstanding policing service. 'In doing so, we recognise not all communities share the same level of confidence in policing for a variety of reasons. We want to ensure everyone knows that we are absolutely here for them when they need us. 'Part of that is us being visible in those communities and playing an active part in our force area. Throughout the year, we will have an important role to play in a variety of events, including parades and festivals. '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. 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. 'We will work through the ruling to understand the implications, while staying true to our values of fairness, visibility, and support for all.' Other forces are currently looking at the ruling to see how it could impact on their approach to the policing similar events. Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: 'Every week police officers and staff will as part of their duties take part in thousands of events up and down the country, from community events at village halls through to large scale events like carnivals, parades and festivals. 'However, we recognise that policing must also maintain its impartiality, including in the types of events it supports and plays an active part in. 'We are working through the detail of this judgment and will ensure this decision is communicated to forces for them to consider. 'We are also working with the College of Policing on broader guidance which will help local forces make decisions around participation in events to maintain their impartiality. 'Policing values all our communities and will continue to police in a way that aims to build trust and confidence, including among those who have less confidence in our service. 'This is the cornerstone of good policing and especially neighbourhood policing. Our desire to ensure we recognise and provide good policing for all communities will remain unchanged.' Newcastle United ban Earlier this year Northumbria Police apologised to Ms Smith, who is a season ticket holder at Newcastle United, following an investigation that took place when she expressed gender critical views on social media. She was accused of being transphobic by a complainant who told Newcastle United that trans people would not feel safe sitting near her. A hate crime investigation was launched and she was banned by the club. Northumbria Police later admitted crucial elements of their investigation into the claims were not acceptable. It said that while there was no misconduct by its officers, the way they handled her case and similar hate crime reports in future should be subject to further training.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Northumbria Police Newcastle Pride plans face fresh legal action
A police force has been threatened with fresh legal action over plans to allow its officers to identify as police during an upcoming Pride Wednesday, a judge ruled Northumbria Police's decision to allow uniformed officers to march at last year's Newcastle Pride should not have been allowed due to concerns over Smith, the claimant in the judicial review, said she will take further legal action against the force if it goes ahead with plans to allow off-duty officers to wear T-shirts identifying themselves as such at this year's force declined to comment on whether it would change its position and said it was working through the judge's ruling. 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 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 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 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 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." Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Uniformed police officers were wrong to march in Pride event, high court rules
Police chiefs have been left stunned after the high court ruled officers were wrong to wear their uniforms to take part in last year's Pride festival in Newcastle. The judgment found that the chief constable of Northumbria acted 'irrationally' and breached a duty of impartiality by officially supporting the event, which was alleged to have supported views that people could change their gender. The ruling followed a case brought by a woman who objected to uniformed officers taking part to represent their force, which covers Newcastle. The claimant, Linzi Smith, is a gender-critical lesbian who believes sex is immutable. She alleged the event supported an ideology that gender can be chosen. The ruling found Vanessa Jardine, the chief constable, was wrong to allow uniformed officers to take part, marching in uniform bearing Pride flags and painting a police van in colours supporting the event. The judgment listed slogans displayed during the march, which police did not dispute. These included: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free', 'Toute le monde deteste la police', 'Northumbria police, off our Pride', 'Intifada don't deny it, Stonewall was a fucking riot' and 'Queers for free Palestine'. Nationally, police chiefs are rushing to understand the judgment and its potential scope. One police source spoke of hearing concerns that forces could not be officially represented at Remembrance parades, events in support of the armed services, or community and religious celebrations, if anyone could object. However, another said the ruling was 'absolutely right', adding: 'If you are in uniform, you are on duty … to police without fear or favour.' In his judgment, Mr Justice Linden wrote: 'The claimant describes herself as a lesbian who is 'gender critical'. She believes that a person's sex is an immutable characteristic and that 'gender ideology', which recognises a person's gender identity, is 'wrong and dangerous'. 'Her evidence is that gender ideology has been embraced by the organisers of the event … and was supported by many of the participants in the event, who also strongly oppose gender-critical beliefs. 'She objects to what she sees as the force and/or members of the force associating themselves with the views of supporters of gender ideology and transgender activists by actively participating in the event.' The judge made clear he was not ruling on the merits of the highly charged transgender debate, but whether a body could officially support a disputed cause without breaching a duty of impartiality it was legally bound to observe. The case was supported by a group called Fair Cop, which alleges policing is blighted by excessive political correctness and was founded by Harry Miller, a former officer. In his witness statement, Miller said the chief constable 'marched in the immediate proximity of those carrying the flags and emblems clearly associated with the gender ideologists' cause'. He added that banners saying 'Trans women are women' and 'Trans rights are human rights', plus 'the intersectional flag and the blue, pink and white transgender pride flag' signalled a political association 'in a similar way to how someone shouting 'build a wall' or 'make America great again' signals an association with Donald Trump'. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Reaching his decision, the judge said of the chief constable: 'Her participation in the march was likely to be seen, and may well have been intended to be seen, as expressing the support of the head of the force for the views and the cause which the march sought to promote, and therefore as indicating the position or perspective of the force as an organisation.' The judge said all the force's actions at the event gave 'the impression that the force as a whole was associating itself with a particular viewpoint and, as far as gender-critical people were concerned, taking sides.' Linzi Smith said: 'It is terrifying to live in a community where the police have abandoned their duty of impartiality and embraced a highly controversial political cause. I've experienced firsthand what happens when the police forget their duty of impartiality. I posted some gender-critical tweets, and Northumbria Police launched an investigation into my conduct – but when I received appalling homophobic abuse as a lesbian, they did absolutely nothing.' Northumbria police said: 'We recognise not all communities share the same level of confidence in policing for a variety of reasons. We want to ensure everyone knows that we are absolutely here for them when they need us. 'Part of that is us being visible in those communities and playing an active part in our force area. Throughout the year, we will have an important role to play in a variety of events, including parades and festivals. '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. 'It is vitally important they feel supported and we continue to build their trust in us.' Smith's lawyer, Paul Conrathe, said the judgment may have repercussions for other bodies with a duty of impartiality, such as the BBC, 'if they align themselves with a controversial cause'.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Northumbria Police participation in Newcastle pride 'unlawful'
A 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 Lindsey Smith, from Newcastle, who describes herself as "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 trans rights supporters had 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 it was "irrational" for Mrs Jardine to think officers could take part in the 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." In her claim, Ms Smith described how a "contingent of uniformed officers" led by the chief constable marched behind a trade union banner during last year's march. She said Mrs Jardine had associated herself with placards, chanting and the Progress Flag, which represents the wider LGBTQ+ the march, officers carried a Police Pride flag and flags in the Pride colours, and wore uniforms with the word "police" written in rainbow colours. A police van was also painted in the same colours. 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 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 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. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
