In a significant move, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has issued a formal apology for historical police discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. This comes after the region's chief constable declined to make a similar apology earlier this year.
A Mayoral Apology for Past Harms
Andy Burnham's apology was delivered in a letter to veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has been seeking acknowledgements from police forces across the UK for the "past homophobic persecution" of LGBTQ+ individuals. In his correspondence, Burnham stated there was "no doubt" the community had been treated shamefully and subjected to discrimination.
"As mayor of Greater Manchester, I acknowledge the unacceptable discrimination and the pain and suffering it caused," Burnham wrote. "I apologise to all LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and across the UK for the past failing of GMP in this regard."
Contrast with Police Leadership's Stance
This mayoral apology stands in direct contrast to the position of Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) Chief Constable, Stephen Watson. In April, Watson responded to Tatchell by saying he was sorry the force "didn't always perform to the standards deserved" but declined to issue a broader apology to the LGBTQ+ community.
Watson argued that such an apology could be viewed as "superficial and merely performative" and would make "little or no difference." Burnham noted he had seen Watson's "considered and respectful" response but emphasised that mayors have no statutory power to instruct operationally independent chief constables.
GMP's Notorious Historical Record
Campaigners highlight that the apology holds particular weight for Greater Manchester. Peter Tatchell stated that "historically, GMP was one of the most homophobic police forces in the UK." He cited the era of former Chief Constable Sir James Anderton in the 1980s, who infamously said gay men dying of AIDS were "swirling around in a human cesspit of their own making."
Tatchell detailed how, motivated by homophobic religious beliefs, Anderton ordered police to "go after" LGBT people. This included the notorious 1984 raid on Napoleon's bar by 23 plainclothes officers, who claimed the venue was permitting "licentious dancing."
The consequences of such actions were severe:
- Patrons' names, addresses, and photographs were taken.
- Many were publicly outed against their will.
- This led to job losses and subjected individuals to homophobic abuse and violence.
Campaign Continues for Force Apology
While grateful for Burnham's "clear and unequivocal apology," Peter Tatchell expressed disappointment that the chief constable continues to refuse to say sorry. "A mayoral apology, welcome though it is, cannot substitute for an apology from the police force that carried out these abuses," he stated.
Tatchell confirmed he would persist in campaigning for a "full and formal apology" directly from GMP. Over 20 other UK police forces, including the Metropolitan Police, Merseyside, Northumbria, and Police Scotland, have already issued apologies for historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities.
