Police pride car banned after Chief Inspector weighs in

The car, painted in a rainbow livery, had been seen at Oldham Pride in the past.

According to a letter from the GMP Pride Network Co-Chair Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock, the car has been retired as its livery has “shown wear and tear and is no longer fit for its original purpose”.

The Chief Inspector sent the letter after Oldham Pride organiser Reverend David Austin questioned Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes about the car’s absence.

The Reverend had previously said he had been told the use of the car had been banned, and criticised GMP for ‘shooting themselves in the foot’.

Now, however, GMP says the car has been withdrawn for different reasons.

In a letter sent in response to the Deputy Mayor, Chief Inspector Lee Broadstock says the car had seen six years of use but was not the force’s only asset for LGBT+ engagement.

The Chief Inspector also claimed that each borough having a Pride event, sometimes coinciding with each other, meant the car was sometimes not available for every event.

The GMP Pride car

However, Broadstock went on to admit that, while Chief Constable Watson had given permission for districts to fly the rainbow flag and for uniformed officers to participate in Pride, the Chief Constable “did not want the Pride car to be used going forward,” despite previous positive feedback.

According to the letter, this decision was accepted by GMP’s Pride Network.

GMP said it was never stated that the car had been banned due to ‘hate crimes’ committed against the police – in reference to a claim made by Reverend Austin at the time.

Speaking to The Oldham Times, Lib Dem Cllr Louie Hamblett, an organiser at Oldham Pride, said: “It’s their vehicle, it’s their decision.

Oldham Pride organisers Reverend David Austin and Cllr Louie Hamblett

“We don’t have any power or say over that, it’s their decision – it’s for them to make.

"In a world where we have to make some changes and small sacrifices in regard to costs.

“If they’re trying to save, that’s fine, it’s their decision. I’m not going to argue with it.

“Oldham GMP and GMP as a whole have been really supportive to us, unlike the Met. Not every police force will get it right, but they do have a really good network for their LGBT+ officers.”

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the letter’s legitimacy but did not wish to provide any additional comment when contacted by The Oldham Times.