The move follows LGBT campaigners called for them to be barred from the parade, partly because of the Met’s mishandling of the serial killer’s investigation Stephen Port.
Veteran human rights defender, Peter Tatchelltold the Guardian that the case, as well as other recent revelations of homophobic, racist and sexist attitudes within the force, meant that uniformed officers should not march in the parade.
Mr Tatchell said: “While there are many good officers and they can march in plainclothes, Pride has to challenge the police as an institution, otherwise they never reform.’
In a statement given to the newspaper, Pride in London said: “We work hard to balance the very real and legitimate concerns of our community members and to be as welcoming as possible.
“We agree that the police uniform undermines that balance, and therefore we agree that it should not be on our parade.”
The move does not prevent individual officers from marching without uniform.
Police Oversight, IOPC, announced last week that it was re-investigating the Porto case, which is being handled by the Met.
A killer was let loose to kill four young gay men, with officers unable to link them despite the bodies of the three victims being found meters apart.
An inquest into the deaths of 23-year-old Anthony Walgate, 22-year-old Gabriel Kovari, 21-year-old Daniel Whitworth and 25-year-old Jack Taylor found that police errors were “likely” to have contributed to the killing of the last three victims.
The Gay Liberation Front, which organized Britain’s first-ever Pride march in 1972, was among LGBT groups calling for uniformed police to be barred from the parade, as was Lesbian and Gay Migrant Support, another community group .
In an open letter, both organizations cited the Porto case and “deep-seated concerns” about the police in calling for a ban.
“Because of our deep-seated concerns about policing — and Pride’s own history of resistance to police violence — it’s time to end the practice of annual police participation in Pride,” the open letter said.
“Their presence is not only offensive because they don’t deserve it, but it keeps others from celebrating with their community.”
Pride will return to the streets of London on Saturday and hundreds of thousands will be dispatched to take part either as spectators or in the parade itself.
The Met Police have been contacted for comment.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/pride-london-2022-met-police-uniformed-officers-banned-peter-tatchell-b1009575.html
