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# Wiltshire Police faces legal challenge overs its support of Pride events
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/wiltshire-police-faces-legal-challenge-overs-its-support-of-pride-events/
- Published: 2025-11-10T12:33:38.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-10T12:33:38.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: UK

**Wiltshire Police** is facing a High Court battle after free speech campaigners accused the force of breaching its duty of neutrality by actively supporting Pride events.

The judicial review, led by barrister **Sarah Phillimore**, co-founder of the **Fair Cop** organisation, centres on Wiltshire Police’s presence at **Swindon Pride** this summer. Officers reportedly ran a stall at the event, wearing police-branded T-shirts featuring Pride motifs and Progress lanyards, while displaying Pride flags and handing out stickers to attendees. Campaigners argue this amounts to political endorsement of LGBTQ+ causes.

Phillimore claims such involvement undermines public confidence in police impartiality, particularly during disputes over gender identity and transgender rights. “Pride is a political cause and Wiltshire Police should not be supporting it,” said **James Gardner** of **Conrathe Gardner LLP**, representing Phillimore. He added that the display implied “the police support trans causes” at a time of heightened national debate over gender ideology.

The case follows a similar ruling earlier this year against **Northumbria Police**, where the High Court warned that visible support for transgender rights - such as displaying flags on patrol vehicles - risked raising doubts about “fairness and impartiality”. Mr **Justice Linden** noted that officers could later be called upon to mediate clashes between gender-critical groups and LGBTQ+ activists, creating concerns over bias.

Wiltshire Police has defended its actions, insisting attendance formed part of an “official policing response” focused on community engagement. Superintendent **Conway Duncan** said: “Our officers were rightly undertaking their roles in a visible capacity both inside and outside the event.” A spokesperson confirmed the force is responding to the legal claim but declined further comment while proceedings are ongoing.