Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT ) community c (Image: Getty Images)
A chief constable was wrong to allow uniformed officers to march under a Progress flag promoting transgender ideology at a Pride march. A judge today issued a landmark ruling after a lesbian won her legal battle against police officers who took part in the march after a judge ruled they had “breached an oath to act impartially” by participating in the parade.
Linzi Smith, 34, a gender-critical activist, claimed that Northumbria Police’s “uniformed participation” in last year’s Newcastle Pride parade broke the professional oath sworn by each police officer to act “with impartiality” at work. And in a High Court ruling today, a judge found that there would have been “issues” in policing with impartiality if, for example, an “attempted counter demonstration by gender critical people” broke out.
Gender-critical activist Linzi Smith (Image: -)
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Court filings outline how Smith “entirely accepts that it was necessary for the event to be policed, but 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”.
The 34-year-old claimed “gender ideology” had been “embraced by the organisers of the event” and was supported by “many of the participants”.
While at the march, police were seen marching with a ‘Police Pride’ flag, Pride colours, Unison trade union banners and more.
Ms Smith also complained that Vanessa Jardine, the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, had allowed a police van decked out in Pride livery to be stationed at the event.
The gay campaigner, who was expelled from Newcastle United FC following a months-long probe into her gender-critical views, said she was “delighted” with the court’s ruling.
In court, she was backed by witness statements from gender-critical professor Kathleen Stock and Harry Miller, co-founder of campaign group Fair Cop, which seeks to “remove politics from policing”.
But in return, the force pointed to how it was “obliged to give effect to” the public sector equality duty outlined under the Equality Act 2010.
Northumbria Police Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine. (Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Ch Con Jardine pointed out that the transgender and LGBT+ community are subjected to hate crimes, are “particularly vulnerable” and experience “social isolation”.
She said: “It is important for the police to demonstrate to potential recruits and serving officers that it will be an inclusive environment in which to serve”.
Police participation in Pride, the top officer said, was “necessary and justified” in demonstrating that there is a “safe and inclusive space” for standing with or reporting crime against the LGBT+ community.
But Prof Stock argued: “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.”
In his judgement Justice Linden said: “In all of these cases, 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.”
Following the judgment, Ms Smith said: “I am delighted. 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 first-hand 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.
“Their participation in the Pride march clearly shows where their sympathies lie. Today however, the court has ruled decisively that the Chief Constable acted unlawfully.
“My hope is that Northumbria Police change their ways and follow this ruling.
“If they do, they will be policing the community for everyone.”
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “There is widespread support both in forces and out in our communities for visible, effective neighbourhood policing.
“Having police officers and staff who know their communities, are visible in those communities and play an active part in their local area has been shown time and time again to build trust and confidence in our service.
“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.”