All pride rainbows, transgender signs and diversity-based symbols will be removed from Northumbria police vehicles following a major High Court ruling. Due to its lack of impartiality, police cars and vans will be stripped of the designs after a gender-critical activist took the authority to court.
Northumbria Police has also banned its officers from attending a Gay Pride march in their uniform. Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine has now ordered the removal of the symbols from vehicles, after the judge ruled the force needed to be impartial. The authority was initially taken to court after staff were seen taking part in events that promoted a certain gender ideology. Ms Jardine, who is LGBT+ communities lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), has agreed to remove all of the pride livery from vans and cars.
In a letter, reported by the Telegraph, the force has confirmed its withdrawal of visible support for pride.
“This work has commenced but may take a short amount of time. No vehicle carrying Pride, Progress and/or transgender colours and/or insignia will be deployed at the Northern Pride march and there are currently no vehicles with this livery deployed operationally,” the letter read.
It also outlined that staff and officers would not be permitted to attend the annual march whilst wearing uniform.
Northumbria Police’s approach may set the tone for other forces to do the same due to Ms Jardine’s position in the NPCC.
Linzi Smith, 34, a gender-critical lesbian from Newcastle, initially brought the case to the High Court against the constabulary. She argued that it was wrong for uniformed officers to participate in an event which promotes gender ideology.
Mr Justice Linden, the judge, highlighted the importance of impartiality in his ruling.
“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 said.
Gavin Stephens, chairman of the NPCC, said forces are now working through the judgement.
He said: “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.”