Northumbria Police has banned its officers from displaying trans colours at this year's Pride parade following a landmark court ruling over its "impartiality" at last year's event.
In 2024, the force had attended Northern Pride in uniform with trans colours on display.
Police vehicles, meanwhile, were decked out in "progress flag" and transgender livery.
Northumbria Police and its Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine were then hauled before a court after a challenge by gender-critical campaigner Linzi Smith.
Smith argued that police's "uniformed participation" in last year's march broke the professional oath sworn by each officer to act "with impartiality" at work.
A judge then ruled in her favour - and the force has now backed down.
NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
|PICTURED: Northumbria Police officers march at 2022's Northern Pride parade
Correspondence seen by GB News between police and Smith's lawyers Conrathe Gardner reveals that Jardine is "reflecting upon the contents of the judgment and considering its implications".
Police confirmed that she has decided that, pending such consideration, officers from Northumbria Police will only be authorised to attend this year's event "in a manner which does not publicise their association with the police".
Officers will now only be allowed to attend on a voluntary basis, and will be barred from wearing uniform or such other apparel as identifies them as a police officer or police staff member.
There will still be a police stall at Northern Pride 2025, the force added, but there will be no Pride, progress or transgender colours or insignia on display.
NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
|Police vehicles will no longer be decked out in 'progress flag' and transgender livery
Asked by Conrathe Gardner whether police would move to strip the controversial trans livery from its vehicles, the force admitted it would.
"This work has commenced but may take a short amount of time," police said.
"No vehicle carrying Pride, Progress and or transgender colours and or insignia will be deployed at the Northern Pride march and there are currently no vehicles with this livery deployed operationally.
"In the short term, if there is an operational exigency and such a vehicle is the only one available, they may be used," Northumbria Police added.
Responding to the police climb-down, Smith said: "This is huge, and a massive win for everyone. Bye bye rainbow cars!"
LINZI SMITH |
Linzia Smith said the climb-down was a 'significant and encouraging sign that Northumbria Police are now fulfilling their legal responsibility of acting impartially'
She added: "This is a significant and encouraging sign that Northumbria Police are now fulfilling their legal responsibility of acting impartially.
"By abandoning their previous commitment to a controversial political cause they will be able to police the local community for everyone.
"Northern Pride, like so many events, demonstrations and protests up and down the country is controversial.
"The impartiality of the police is vital in ensuring these events can take place in a way that does not restrict free speech.
"My hope is that my case will have brought Northumbria Police and other forces back to their core responsibility of policing without fear or favour."