Fire and rescue services and police in Merseyside will not take part in Pride marches this summer while they review their position following legal advice linked to a High Court ruling.
Liverpool’s annual Pride march, a significant city-wide event celebrating visibility and inclusion, will move forward on July 25th as scheduled. However, this year’s celebration will feature a notable absence: the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police have both announced they will not participate in an official capacity. Both organizations stated they are reevaluating their approach to the event in light of recent legal and organizational considerations regarding the involvement of public authorities in Pride activities. These discussions follow a recent case concerning public authority participation in such events, prompting both agencies to review their policies and seek legal counsel to ensure strict compliance with their statutory duties.
The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service described its current stance as a "pragmatic approach," aimed at reviewing its position to ensure any future involvement in external events is fully compliant with statutory obligations. In an official statement, the service reaffirmed its commitment to supporting all communities and fostering inclusive engagement, but noted that it will refrain from participating in Pride-related events while the review is ongoing.
Similarly, Merseyside Police has confirmed it will not participate in this year’s march. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Smith explained that, following last year’s decisions by organizers to classify Pride as a protest, the force chose not to participate in an official capacity. That position remains unchanged. Smith emphasized that the force is concerned that participation could be perceived as taking a side in wider societal and political debates, and the decision is intended to maintain public confidence in the police’s impartiality.
