Summary of events

Lindsey (Linzi) Smith is a lesbian who holds gender-critical beliefs. She believes that replacing the concept of binary sex with gender identity undermines women’s rights and same-sex attraction.

Smith challenged the decision of Northumbria Police’s Chief Constable, Vanessa Jardine, to authorise uniformed officers to participate in Newcastle Pride 2024, including the display of Pride and Progress flags and a police vehicle carrying those symbols. She argued that this amounted to political expression inconsistent with the police duty of impartiality, particularly given the character of Northern Pride as a political event, featuring campaigning groups and messages supporting changes in law and policy relating to gender identity.

Chief Constable Jardine maintained that participation in Pride was lawful and aligned with the public-sector equality duty and the principle of policing by consent. Jardine said that NP’s participation in Pride was intended to promote inclusion and community confidence, not to endorse the political aims of the event.

Outcome

The court found that Chief Constable Jardine had failed to consider relevant factors, including the risk that marching in uniform could create the appearance of partiality. The judgment noted that “Those who do not agree with the position of Northern Pride on transgender rights are not welcome on marches organised by Northern Pride”. Jardine’s reasoning was judged to be outside the range of reasonable decisions open to her: the judgment stated that her reasoning did not provide a rational basis for her decision and also noted that she also had an incorrect understanding of the public-sector equality duty.

The court declared that the 2024 decision to authorise uniformed participation in Newcastle Pride was unlawful and stated that the Chief Constable should review her analysis of impartiality following the ruling. It was noted that forthcoming national police guidance should take the court’s findings into account.

Our case briefings are introductions to cases that concern the conflict between sex-based rights and policies and practices based on gender identity. This information was compiled from public sources, last updated 23rd October 2025.