00:00Liverpool's Pride March is set to return this summer, bringing thousands of people into the city centre for a major
00:06celebration of visibility and inclusion.
00:09But this year's event is taking place without formal participation from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service or Merseyside Police,
00:17both of which say they're reviewing their approach in light of legal and organisational considerations linked to a recent case
00:24on public authority involvement in Pride events.
00:27Both organisations point to legal advice and the need to ensure compliance with public authority duties.
00:34Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service says it's taking a pragmatic approach and reviewing its position to make sure any future
00:39involvement in external events is fully compliant with statutory obligations.
00:44In a statement, the service said it remains committed to supporting all communities and inclusive engagement, but will stay away
00:51from Pride-related events while that review continues.
00:54Merseyside Police say they'll not participate in this year's march.
00:58Assistant Chief Constable Matt Smith says following last year's decisions by organisers to classify Pride as a protest,
01:05the force chose not to take part in an official capacity and that position remains unchanged.
01:10He says participation could be perceived as the police taking a side in wider societal and political debates
01:16and that the decision is intended to maintain public confidence in impartiality.
01:20Despite the decision by emergency services, organisers say Liverpool's Pride march will still go ahead as planned on the 25th
01:28of July.
01:29Thank you for listening!
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