Cops told NOT to wear the rainbow with Pride

POLICE have been banned from displaying rainbow badges on their uniforms during a Pride march.

- James Holt

Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable Stephen Watson has told officers working at the event later this month they cannot wear any LGBTQ+ emblems.

It is understood off-duty officers can apply to wear their uniforms to the event but cannot decorate them with anything.

It is believed Manchester Pride had initially told the force it does not want off-duty officers marching in uniform at the parade through Manchester on August 26.

A police source described Mr Watson's approach as "old-fashioned", with him referring to the uniform as "the King's cloth", and that as such it should not be tampered with.

Last year organisers of the march had asked off-duty officers not to attend the parade in uniform. They had warned of "increased levels of concern" about the effect uniforms would have on some members of the LGBTQ+ community.

They were asked, instead, to wear civilian clothing or T-shirts with the Progress Pride flag.