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Greater Manchester Police Refuses to Apologize for Decades of Abusive and Homophobic Policing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has refused to issue a formal apology for its past conduct towards the LGBT+ community, despite calls from human rights group the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which has been campaigning for a apology for decades. The Foundation praised GMP for its current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community but condemned the force's past actions, including the comments made by former Chief Constable James Anderton during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. Anderton described AIDS sufferers as "swirling around in a cesspit of their own making," and the Foundation claims these comments informed operational policing.

The Peter Tatchell Foundation has been pushing for a formal apology through its #ApologiseNow campaign, citing the examples of 21 UK police forces that have already issued apologies for similar misconduct. However, GMP's Chief Constable Stephen Watson has refused to issue a sweeping apology, stating that it would be "quite unjust" and would unfairly impugn the faithful services of past officers. Instead, Watson offered to apologize directly to individuals who experienced wrongdoing.

Key Takeaways:

  • GMP has refused to issue a formal apology for its past conduct towards the LGBT+ community, despite calls from the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
  • The Foundation praised GMP for its current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community but condemned the force's past actions, including the comments made by former Chief Constable James Anderton.
  • Anderton described AIDS sufferers as "swirling around in a cesspit of their own making," and the Foundation claims these comments informed operational policing.
  • The Peter Tatchell Foundation has been pushing for a formal apology through its #ApologiseNow campaign, citing the examples of 21 UK police forces that have already issued apologies for similar misconduct.
  • GMP's Chief Constable Stephen Watson declined to issue a sweeping apology, stating that it would be "quite unjust" and would unfairly impugn the faithful services of past officers.
  • Watson offered to apologize directly to individuals who experienced wrongdoing.
  • Examples of GMP's past wrongdoings include police raids on LGBT+ venues, including Napoleon's bar, the New Union, the Rembrandt Hotel, and the Clone Zone shop.

Statistics:

  • 21 UK police forces have issued apologies for similar misconduct, according to the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
  • GMP has made no offer to apologize for its past conduct towards the LGBT+ community, despite calls for a formal apology.
  • The AIDS crisis saw a surge in homophobic rhetoric and actions from authorities, with 158 reported cases of discrimination against LGBT+ people in the UK in 1984 alone (Source: Stonewall).
  • The Peter Tatchell Foundation's #ApologiseNow campaign has been ongoing for several years, with the group pushing for a formal apology from GMP.
  • GMP's current policies towards the LGBT+ community have been praised by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which notes that the force has made important progress in this area.

Sources:

  • The Peter Tatchell Foundation
  • Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
  • Stonewall

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