Pride event to go ahead despite founder’s arrest

The event in September will be the fifth anniversary of Pride in Surrey

A pride event is to go ahead as planned after its founder and another volunteer were charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse against children, organisers have said.

This year's Pride in Surrey event will take place in Guildford on 21 September.

Organisers said it had been a "difficult week" for them and that they were "taking extra measures" to ensure event-goers were protected.

Stephen Ireland, 40, and David Sutton, 26, both from Addlestone, were arrested on 14 August.

Both men have been remanded in custody until a hearing at Guildford Crown Court in September.

The first Pride in Surrey parade was held in August 2019 in Woking. It has since been held in Godalming, Camberley and Reigate.

This year's event will take place in Stoke Park in Guildford.

A Pride in Surrey spokesperson said they had arranged "additional security around the event site".

The statement said: "Pride in Surrey marks an important date for Surrey’s LGBTQ+ community, acting as an opportunity for people to be themselves unashamedly and to call for the extension and protection of LGBTQ+ rights, which are under constant attack.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received and would like to thank organisations and individuals who have reached out to us as allies.

"We understand that many who have worked with us and attended our events over the years may feel uncomfortable attending this year’s event.

"We hope to rebuild the trust that many have placed in us and will continue working to make Surrey a better place for LGBTQ+ people."

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