The former chief executive of London's Pride march has admitted being in contempt of court after failing to hand back login details for social media and bank accounts, amid fears he wanted to 'develop a rival organisation'.
Background of the Case
Christopher Joell-Deshields was dismissed last month following allegations of misconduct, which included claims he spent more than £7,000 worth of vouchers intended for volunteers. After his departure, it was alleged that Mr Joell-Deshields, who had been CEO of Pride in London since 2021, attempted to block the organisation's access to its bank accounts and social media by taking passwords, login details, and a mobile phone with him.
Representatives for London LGBT Community Pride, the trading name for Pride in London, informed previous hearings that he had failed to return the items despite being ordered to do so by a High Court judge in September. In March, David Cunnington, for Pride in London, stated that the organisation took legal action against Mr Joell-Deshields as it was concerned he wanted to 'develop a rival organisation' using confidential information obtained in his role as chief executive.
Contempt Admission
A hearing was scheduled earlier this week to decide whether failing to hand back login details amounted to contempt. However, on Thursday, Mr Justice Cotter announced that Mr Joell-Deshields 'admits that he acted in contempt of the court' by failing to return the items. The order stated that Mr Joell-Deshields 'failed to deliver up' various documents, a WeWork pass, and a SIM card belonging to Pride in London, as well as plans for holding an event in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
Additionally, he failed to provide usernames or passwords for several of Pride in London's online accounts, including Facebook, HM Revenue and Customs, PayPal, and YouTube. The order indicated that Mr Joell-Deshields will be sentenced for the contempt in June or July. He will also be sentenced for a second allegation of contempt for failing to file a witness statement, which he admitted in January. Contempt can result in a sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine.
Legal Proceedings and Damages
Mr Cunnington said the organisation wants to prevent Mr Joell-Deshields from having 'any and all confidential information recorded in documentary form or stored in any digital or electronic form belonging to the claimant or any of its funders, sponsors, customers, suppliers or agents, comprising technical, financial and business information'. Deputy High Court Judge Matthew Butt KC ordered that the court would find in Pride in London's favour in the claim if Mr Joell-Deshields did not file a defence by April 13, which was not done. Damages in the claim are to be determined at a later date, with Mr Joell-Deshields blocked from using, publishing, holding, or deleting company property or its confidential information.
Misconduct Allegations
Mr Joell-Deshields was ousted from his role as CEO of Pride in London last month after whistleblowers claimed he had spent £7,125 of vouchers intended for volunteers on items including an Apple HomePod speaker, Apple AirPod earphones, and colognes such as Creed Aventus, which retails from £165. The pattern of the purchases 'strongly' suggested they were for 'personal - rather than organisational - benefit', they said. Mr Joell-Deshields was subsequently investigated over the claims made by a group of volunteer directors for London LGBT Community Pride, which runs parts of the annual event.
Pride later announced Mr Joell-Deshields was 'no longer employed by or affiliated with the organisation', although it did not say whether the allegations against him had been proved. He denied any wrongdoing and appealed against the decision, but it was subsequently upheld by an independent reviewer. Mr Joell-Deshields claimed the allegations were part of a 'narrative that was deliberately constructed and leaked by a group of white directors who carried out a boardroom takeover and then positioned themselves as the “solution”'. He continued in a post on LinkedIn: 'There’s been no finding against me, yet people are comfortable repeating allegations as if they’re truth. That should concern all of us.'
He added: 'What’s missing from these conversations is how quickly a Black leader can be publicly discredited, while the actions of those now in control go largely unquestioned. Pride isn’t damaged by one person — it’s damaged when governance is manipulated, stories are selectively told, and people don’t stop to question what they’re being fed.' In a follow-up post, Mr Joell-Deshields stated he has 'never been charged with a crime' and is instead engaged in a 'civil employment dispute'. The BBC reported that he was being paid his full £87,500 salary whilst suspended, prior to his dismissal at the end of last month.
Organisational Response
The group said: 'In September 2025, the London LGBT Community Pride Board (trading as Pride in London) commissioned an independent investigation into allegations relating to Christopher Joell-Deshields’ conduct while he was CEO of Pride in London, prior to his suspension by the Board on 29th August 2025. Following the findings of the independent investigation, his employment has been terminated. This decision has been reviewed and upheld by an independent counsel following an appeal process.' It has appointed Rebecca Paisis as interim CEO, who said in a statement that she was focused on 'delivering another safe and successful event and leading the organisation with integrity.'
Following his departure, Mr Joell-Deshields continued to tell the press that he remained CEO regardless. Companies House records show his control of the company was cut off on August 27, 2025. The following month, he told the Guardian: 'The current legal and governance matters relate to the organisation itself. These matters are being addressed through the appropriate channels, and it would be inappropriate to litigate them in the press.'
Future of Pride
Pride is expected to go ahead as normal in July. The event costs upwards of £1 million to run each year, largely funded by corporate sponsors who pay up to £8,500 to enter a float into the parade, which is watched by over a million people. It also receives £125,000 from the Greater London Authority for the Pride parade each year. However, it is thought that cutbacks in diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have presented a challenge for Pride events. Liverpool Pride was cancelled last year amid financial pressures before being relaunched on a smaller scale, while Manchester Pride entered liquidation in 2025 owing £70,000 to performers and £1.3 million to suppliers. Pride in London was also targeted by pro-Palestine protesters last year, who threw red paint on the lead float in protest at the event's sponsorship by firms they said were linked to Israel's military action in Gaza.
