'Christian Legal Centre' to lodge judicial review if Progress Pride flags are put up on Regent Street

The Christian Legal Centre, which “provides legal support for those taking a stand for Jesus and the truth that flows from him”, has said it will lodge a judicial review against Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate if proposed trans-inclusive Progress Pride flags are put up along Regent Street next week. 

The Crown Estate, which owns most of the property on the prestigious shopping street, revealed plans earlier this year to hoist flags in 20 locations between mid-June and mid-July as part of Pride Month.

However, Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate are now risk facing legal action in the form of a judicial review from the Christian Legal Centre if the proposed decorations are put up next week.

"Pride Month is here and the superheroes [trans community] are not going away anytime soon.”

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said she believed the flags were an “attack on historic, traditional beliefs about sex and gender”.

She added: “They send the message that people holding these views – which are worthy of respect in a democratic society – are not welcome.

Ms Williams continued: “This ideology has been discredited by the Cass review, the closure of the Tavistock, and most recently Supreme Court ruling. When will the Crown Estate catch up with the rest of society?

“We will continue to urge Westminster City Council to stop allowing these displays in 2025 and in the future so that everyone can feel welcome in Regent Street and the surrounding areas. If the council chooses to proceed with the display, we will have no option but to pursue legal action.”

Vicky Lee, who founded The WayOut Club and is one of London’s best-known figures in the trans community, urged the Christian Legal Centre to withdraw the legal threat.

“They would need to pursue legal action for every pair of hot pants, every T-shirt and every flag worn as a cape because Pride Month is here and the superheroes [trans community] are not going away anytime soon,” Vicky said.

More than one million people will gather in the capital on Saturday, July 5, for Pride in London, with the parade partly going down Regent Street.

In response, a Westminster City Council spokesman said: “The council supports festivals and celebrations from our different communities across the year. Pride is an annual and established fixture and has been supported by the council for many years.

“Pride flags are in keeping with a cosmopolitan city that welcomes millions of visitors every year. All public community celebrations have a fixed duration and are both proportionate and fitting.

“Given similar pronouncements in previous years we await further information about the Christian Legal Centre’s legal challenge with interest.”