Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has issued a formal apology for what he described as the "shameful" historic treatment of LGBTQ+ people by the police force in the region.
A Mayoral Apology for Past Persecution
In a direct letter to the Peter Tatchell Foundation, Mr Burnham acknowledged the "unacceptable discrimination and the pain and suffering" inflicted on the community by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in past decades. The activist group has been campaigning for UK police forces to apologise for what it terms "the past homophobic persecution" of LGBTQ+ individuals.
"There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the LGBTQ+ community historically were treated shamefully by this country and clearly subject to discrimination in many ways," the Mayor stated. He recognised that while this discrimination extended across public services, policing carried "distinct consequences."
Chief Constable's Refusal and Campaigner's Response
This apology stands in stark contrast to the position of GMP's Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson. He has faced criticism for declining to apologise on behalf of the force, suggesting such a gesture might be viewed as "superficial and merely performative." Mr Burnham noted the Chief Constable's response was "considered and respectful," but emphasised that mayors have no legal power to instruct chief constables on operational matters.
Campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the mayor's "clear and unequivocal apology" but expressed deep disappointment at the Chief Constable's stance. He argued that an apology from the mayor "cannot substitute for an apology from the police force that carried out these abuses." Mr Tatchell cited the 1980s leadership of Chief Constable Sir James Anderton, who allegedly said gay men dying of AIDS were "swirling around in a human cesspit of their own making," as evidence of GMP once being "one of the most homophobic police forces in the UK."
National Context and Ongoing Campaign
The debate in Greater Manchester occurs against a backdrop of similar reckonings across the UK. More than 20 chief constables have now apologised for historic homophobia within their forces, including those leading Police Scotland, the Metropolitan Police, Merseyside, and Sussex.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation has vowed to continue its campaign, stating: "We will continue to campaign for a full and formal apology from Greater Manchester Police." A spokesperson for GMP confirmed there has been no change in the force's official position following the mayor's intervention.
While acknowledging significant progress since the 1980s and 1990s, Mr Burnham concluded his apology by saying: "I apologise to all LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and across the UK for the past failing of GMP in this regard."
