Police face fresh legal action over Pride plans

A letter threatening legal action has calls for off-duty officers to not be allowed to identify themselves as such at Newcastle Pride

A police force has been threatened with fresh legal action over plans to allow its officers to identify as police during an upcoming Pride march.

On 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 impartiality.

Linzi 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 event.

The 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 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.

Linzi Smith, who is also known as Lindsey, believes police aligned themselves with trans rights groups during Pride

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.

Northumbria Police officers have previously worn badges in the Pride colours at past events, such as in this image taken in 2019

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documents, described the 2025 plans as "plainly unlawful" and said she would take legal action if authorisation was not rescinded.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."