Police lift gay pride uniform ban

The Gay Police Association welcomed the change of heart

Hampshire Constabulary has given the go-ahead for its officers to march in uniform at Brighton's Gay Pride event.

Paul Kernaghan, the force's chief constable, had previously refused to allow them to take part in any march.

He has now reviewed his position, saying the nature of the event had changed and officers would be clearly differentiated from those on duty.

Mr Kernaghan said he had been persuaded that marching in uniform was compatible with "police impartiality".

We never accused him of being homophobic Bernard McEldowney, Gay Police Association

"The force's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Group has persuaded me that participation in the contemporary Brighton Gay Pride event is compatible with my total commitment to police impartiality," he explained.

"This decision helps to reinforce our corporate efforts to be seen as an employer and service of choice, whilst not compromising the essential impartiality that I see as the cornerstone of police professionalism.

"I have been disappointed that some ill-informed observers have sought, over the years, to portray a decision based on protecting police impartiality as in some way detracting from the force's commitment to equality and fairness.

"The consistently high placing of the force in the Stonewall Equality Index objectively refutes that slur."

Bernard McEldowney, spokesman for the Gay Police Association, told the BBC: "We welcome this change of heart and welcome the fact that he has adopted the same stance as nearly every other chief constable in the country.

"We never accused him of being homophobic but we could never understand his arguments in the past."

This year's Brighton Gay Pride March takes place on 4 August.