The Christian Institute has warned that Civil Service endorsement of LGBT Pride breaches rules on impartiality and is launching a legal challenge.
On Wednesday, the Institute notified Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald of its intention to seek judicial review of Civil Service participation in Pride events. It also called for an end to rainbow lanyards and the use of ‘preferred pronouns’ in public-facing email signatures.
Its legal action follows a recent High Court ruling against Northumbria Police, which said participation in Pride marches breached the force’s impartiality duties. In taking on the Civil Service, the CI has instructed Conrathe Gardner Solicitors – the same law firm that helped gender critic Linzi Smith in her victory over Northumbria Police.
The Civil Service Code states that all employees are expected to carry out their roles with “integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality”.