The Christian Institute has launched legal action seeking to prevent civil servants from wearing rainbow lanyards, endorsing Pride events, and using preferred pronouns in public-facing email signatures. The campaign group argues that such practices breach the civil service code on impartiality and are “clearly political”.
In a letter sent to the government ahead of the action, the charity indicated it is seeking a judicial review of staff participation in Pride events. Simon Calvert, deputy director of The Christian Institute, said it was “inappropriate for civil servants to be officially endorsing Pride” and expressed shock at encountering rainbow lanyards in meetings, stating they “gives the impression that their minds are closed” on alternative views.
The move has drawn criticism from LGBT+ campaigners, who warn it could undermine progress on inclusion. Jess O’Thomson of the Good Law Project described it as “nothing less than a fundamental attack on inclusion, freedom of speech, and democracy” that could “take us back decades”. A government spokesperson responded by reaffirming the civil service’s commitment to “an inclusive environment for all staff”.
The legal action follows a recent High Court judgment that effectively banned uniformed police from taking part in Pride parades. In that case, the court ruled that Northumbria Police had acted unlawfully by allowing officers to march under a banner supporting transgender rights, finding it breached impartiality obligations.
