The High Court has ruled that Northumbria Police acted unlawfully by allowing uniformed officers, including Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine, to march in the Newcastle Pride parade in July 2024. In a judgment handed down on 16 July 2025, Mr Justice Linden concluded that the force’s participation breached officers’ statutory duty to maintain political impartiality. The case was brought by Lindsay (Linzi) Smith, a 34-year-old Newcastle United supporter and lesbian campaigner for lesbian, gay and bisexual rights, who argued that police involvement aligned the force with contested ‘gender ideology’ positions promoted by Pride organisers. The court agreed, finding the decision ‘irrational’ because it risked undermining public confidence that the police would act even-handedly towards people with gender-critical beliefs. While the judgment concerns Northumbria Police, it raises broader questions for forces that routinely send officers in uniform to LGBTQ+ marches. The National Police Chiefs’ Council is already drafting nationwide guidance on officer attendance at community events, due by 31 July 2025, and is expected to take the ruling into account. Commenting on the decision, former Scotland Yard detective Mike Neville said the ruling reinforced the principle that ‘the police must serve without fear or favour’. Pride organisers and policing bodies have yet to indicate whether they will appeal.