Latest news with #Tatchell
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Mancunian Way: ‘If they can say sorry, why can't you?'
Peter Tatchell wants an apology - and not the first time. In fact, the LGBT activist has been calling for Greater Manchester Police to apologise for past 'homophobic witch-hunts' for two years. In particular he says former chief constable James Anderton - nicknamed 'God's copper' - left an indelible mark on the force's reputation with gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people. READ MORE: Tesco shoppers shocked after spotting new £10 item on supermarket shelves READ MORE: Coronation Street's Maria Windass star declares love as she reveals link to co-star But current chief constable Stephen Watson says an apology could be seen as 'merely performative'. Anderton's views on homosexuality are well known. At the height of the AIDS crisis, the devout Christian denounced gay people as 'swirling in a human cesspit of their own making'. Tatchell says the force under Anderton 'became synonymous with open hostility towards the LGBT+ community' and claims he directed officers to 'illegally harass gay venues' - including a notorious raid by 23 police officers on Napoleon's bar in 1984. The human rights activist is calling for an apology for the 'abusive and often unlawful manner' in which now-repealed homophobic laws were enforced. This isn't ancient history. We're talking about police action less than 40 years ago. Many of those who felt the brunt of Anderton's words and actions are still alive today. Tatchell says a formal apology would be 'an important act of healing'. But Chief Constable Watson says that while he is 'of course sorry' that police bodies prior to the GMP's foundation in 1974 'didn't always perform to the standards deserved by those whom we serve', it would 'nevertheless be quite unjust for me as the current Chief Constable to cast some sort of sweeping assertion as to the general conduct of the force over a prolonged period of time'. In a letter to Tatchell dated in April, he says 'virtually no serving officer in the entire force can speak to the period with any personal knowledge' and an apology would make 'little or no difference'. It's a point our LGBT+ writer Adam Maidment simply can't accept. 'By not apologising, we're sort of at a cross-roads where progress in certain areas just can't, and won't, be made,' he says in this illuminating comment piece. 'With Mr Watson refusing to apologise and starting the efforts to firmly strike a line through past behaviour, the wound is still there - it's basically just being left to fester. 'How are we to feel like the police force is truly behind us as a community with that remaining?' In total, 21 police forces have apologised for similar past wrongs, including the Metropolitan Police, Police Scotland and Merseyside Police. Tatchell says apologies are 'acts of justice' which affirm that change has occurred. His ongoing question to Mr Watson is: 'If they can say sorry, why can't you?' Earlier this month reporter Nicole Wootton-Cane revealed that convicted paedophile Todros Grynhaus had been allowed to live opposite a children's play area. Nicole and reporter Stephen Topping have now discovered that Grynhaus owns the house next door, which was rented out on Airbnb and According to Land Registry documents the property is owned by a company called Heywood Investments Ltd with Grynhaus listed as a director of the company, alongside his wife, Leah Grynhaus, who is also listed as company secretary. There are no other listed directors for the company. Airbnb has since taken the listing down from its website and suspended an account which hosted the property. has also now removed the listing. You can read the full investigation here. The independent experts who Andy Burnham appointed to his local grooming gangs inquiry resigned after authorities 'lawyered up', a Parliamentary committee has heard. Baroness Louise Casey said authorities in Greater Manchester initially refused to share data with Mr Burnham's review. And she told MPs on Tuesday (June 17) that 'they were all lawyering up' to fight over what information would be shared and by whom. Jo Timan has the details here. Years of setbacks, billions of pounds splurged, and a devastating blow to the North announced in a former Manchester railway station. HS2 is a long way from the vision first proposed by the last Labour government 16 years ago. Now Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says there is 'no reasonable way to deliver' the high-speed railway on schedule and within budget. Reporter Stephen Topping explains the background here. When What' s On editor Jenna Campbell bought a family-sized portion of lasagna off the internet, she suddenly feared she had been scammed. Something about the sign outside Miss Lasagna, on Gorton Road, made her pause. And ordering via WhatsApp also confused her. But her fears were assuaged on meeting Frederica, a Roman who told her all about her time feeding traditional Italian food to Mancunians. When Jenna took her lasagne home, it was eaten in absolute silence - 'a sign that the food is good'. You can read her full review here. Thursday: Get in the shade and don't forget your suncream, it's going to be sunny all day and 28C. Roads: A572 St Helens Road southbound, Leigh, closed due to roadworks from A578 Twist Lane to Bonnywell Road. Until June 30. A6 Chapel Street westbound, Salford, closed due to long-term roadworks from A6041 Blackfriars Road to A34 New Bailey Street. Until January 19. Hub: Wythenshawe Civic Centre's former Co-op department store is set to become the town's new Culture Hub. It will house food and drink spots at ground level; studio spaces for workshops, events, and artists on the first floor; and a 200-seater theatre on the second storey. More here. Extended: The Greater Manchester Housing Investment Loans Fund will continue despite a High Court battle. The fund, which loaned £1bn to property developers, closed to new applications earlier this year, as always planned. But on Tuesday (June 17), the government confirmed it will re-open and extend the fund 'to deliver thousands of new homes over the next ten years' as part of its push to build 1.5m properties. Details here. Dumped: Cars, fridges, and mattresses are among items being dumped next to a Stockport landmark hoping to get World Heritage status. Residents in Marple say three areas around the town's historic canal locks and the River Goyt have become dumping grounds for rubbish and larger items. More here. HMOs: Bolton council has agreed new rules to control the number of homes being converted into rental properties for multiple tenants. In 2021, the borough had 117 houses of multiple occupation (HMO), but by the end of last year there were 720. Details here. He's one of the best known voices in rock n' roll and one of the most famous faces in music - but Liam Gallagher is more than just a music icon. He is a thinker, a philosopher - a Descartes for our times. If you ever need sage counsel, you need only look to Liam. As we all prepare to see Oasis take to the stage again for the first time in years, I've been looking at some of Liam's wittiest one liners and best pieces of advice. You can read them all here.
Metro
29-05-2025
- Metro
Peter Tatchell 'laughed at by police before being removed' from Birmingham Pride
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A veteran LGBTQ+ rights campaigner has claimed he was 'forcibly removed' from Birmingham Pride after police 'laughed' at him. Peter Tatchell, 73, said an officer ordered him to leave the Pride parade, claiming event organisers had requested his removal. Pride organisers have denied this, stressing to Metro that they permitted Tatchell to march. Tatchell gave a speech at the start of the parade in the West Midlands city on Saturday morning where he spoke about the arrests of gay and bisexual men before homosexuality was decriminalised in 2004. He was using a loudhailer and holding a sign reading: 'West Midlands police refuse to apologise for anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts. SHAME! #ApologiseNow' during the march. About an hour later, he set off on the march. The campaigner said he and five others from the Peter Tatchell Foundation were walking down New Street when they saw several police officers approach them. The activist said a senior officer told him to leave, saying he did not have a permit. He added he was then 'frog marched' out of the parade. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! Speaking to Metro, Tatchell said: 'The police response was to crowd around me, blowing whistles, so my message could not be heard. 'What was particularly upsetting was when I told the story of how two men attempted suicide because of police prosecution. The officers laughed in my face.' Tatchell said: 'I showed him my wristband and said, 'Here's proof I have permission, plus, I am a guest, so they would never instruct me to leave'. 'I asked the officer what the name of the Pride organiser who instructed you to remove me was. No answer.' Photographs and video taken at the parade show officers leading Tatchell out of the parade, holding him by the arms and forcing him forward. He was not arrested. Tatchell said: 'The officers dumped me on the pavement. I got the very strong impression that, if I had further resisted, I would have been arrested. 'It's sadly typical of the way in which the police across Britain are increasingly clamping down on freedom of expression and the right to protest. 'I'm just astonished that the police would dare abuse their power to fabricate allegations and to stop me making a lawful criticism.' Birmingham Pride CEO Lawrence Barton said 'categorically' that organisers allowed Tatchell to march. Barton told Metro: 'Peter was an invited guest speaker to Pride, he was asked by me to speak at the Big Free Community event and at Centenary Square to officially launch Pride. 'His foundation was officially booked through our official process. Peter's call for an apology from [West Midlands Police] is a position I support.' Before being gay was fully decriminalised, UK police forces routinely raided nightclubs, bars and saunas, particularly in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Officers held stakeouts in parks and public toilets to arrest queer people for 'gross indecency', while some were convicted for public displays of affection under public order and breach of the peace laws. West Midlands Police has not formally apologised for the decades-old arrests, unlike other forces such as the Met Police. Chief Constable Craig Guildford declined to do so in 2023 when asked by Tatchell, saying the police were responsible for enforcing laws which would be viewed 'very differently today'. Tatchell said: 'There were probably 50 officers marching in the parade. Not a single one at any point expressed sorrow or regret about the way in which the LGBTQ+ community had been ill-treated in the past.' Marching alongside Tatchell was Matthew Lloyd, a member of the inclusive faith group Queer Church Birmingham. The former national co-chair of LGBT+ Labour told Metro that calling on the West Midlands Police to apologise is a 'long-standing demand in our community'. He said: 'It's disgraceful that officers forcibly removed Peter from the parade – especially under the false claim that Pride organisers had asked for it. 'This heavy-handed policing reflects a deeper problem: a lack of understanding of Pride as a protest and a deafness to the police's own history when dealing with the queer community, our venues and our safe spaces.' More Trending The force told Metro: 'We assisted security staff at the event with the removal of a man who made his way amongst people who were taking part in the parade. He was not arrested.' Asked about allegations that officers 'laughed' at Tatchell, the police said: 'West Midlands Police have not received a complaint about this but we are open to listen to any which are formally made to us.' Ahead of the parade, the police said that officers will be 'out and about keeping you safe at Birmingham Pride'. Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby said: 'Our officers are there to support you, so please do speak to them if you have any concerns about safety – or feel free to just say hello.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Pillion review – I experienced one of the filthiest films I've ever seen at Cannes MORE: Plans to ban Pride events in Hungary criticised by 17 other countries MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that'
North Wales Chronicle
18-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
South Wales Guardian
18-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
