Cheshire police watchdog will not resign after LGBT lanyard row

Bob Fousert, chairman of the Cheshire police and crime panel, faced calls to step down after he claimed officers wearing rainbow lanyards to support inclusion and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people were ‘crossing the boundary’ from impartiality into making an ‘overtly political statement’ at last Friday’s meeting.

David Keane, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the remarks and urged Mr Fousert to resign in an open letter penned on Monday – while five Labour panel members have now signed a separate letter calling for the chairman to step down.

But in an open letter responding to Mr Keane, Mr Fousert insisted he has ‘no intention’ of stepping down from the role – and instead claimed he had been treated like a ‘heretic’.

The former crime scene investigator claimed it is an issue of ‘impartiality’ for officer of all rankings, and suggested that Mr Keane’s future attendance at Chester Pride and Cheshire East’s Pride in the Park – which he labelled ‘Gay Pride rallies’ – would be ‘viewed by some as a political act’.

David Keane (left) at Chester Pride 2017

He said: “This was not and never was intended to be an attack upon the LGBT community and I am sorry that it has been made to seem that way. In fact, there are a number of lesbian and homosexual relatives in my family.

“This was primarily an issue of impartiality policing. However, you were quick to try to turn it into such by linking it to my view that LGBT issues are or can be seen to be political. 

“This year is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots which gave rise to the LGBT movement that resulted from the outrageous behaviour of police officers towards the homosexual community in New York. Since then the movement has, laudably, sought to bring about world-wide change within society, which is to be welcomed.

“However, I believe that it should not and must never be allowed to create a situation or perception where police impartiality, the bedrock of policing, is being eroded by being seen to favouring one section of the community over another.”

Mr Fousert went on to compare the reaction to his own comments to the backlash recently faced by Anne Widdecombe, former Conservative minister and newly-elected Brexit Party MEP, after she claimed that science could eventually ‘produce an answer’ to homosexuality.

Anne Widdecombe (Image: Danny Lawson/PA)

He added: “It is unfortunate, even sad, that when someone makes an observation or comment with regards to LGBT issues they are often treated by some sections of the community like heretics, to be vilified, pilloried and castigated – Ann Widdecombe being a recent example and your letter another.

“If, as you suggest, my question may have brought the Cheshire police and crime panel into disrepute, then this would be an unintended consequence and I unreservedly apologise to those members for whom I have a great respect.

“With regards to my resigning, I have no intention of doing so just because I have asked what you consider to be a contentious question, the first that has provoked such a reaction in my seven years on the panel.

“Therefore, I will continue to carry out my responsibilities as an independent, co-opted panel member in robustly challenging and questioning you for the remainder of your tenure as the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire.”

In the letter calling on Mr Fousert to resign released on Monday, Mr Keane said he would continue to encourage the force to ‘openly express their support’ for LGBT people in Cheshire.

He added: “My view, as a representative of the residents of Cheshire, is unequivocally that your views are outdated and inappropriate and should not, and cannot, be seen to be the views of the panel.”

The comments came after Mr Keane confirmed he would hold a special meeting next month to discuss the recent tribunal involving Matthew Furlong – a 25-year-old who was overlooked for a job at Cheshire Police because he was white, heterosexual and male.

Mr Fousert then asked about a rainbow lanyard with the phrase ‘LGBT+ Ally’ which was worn by Deputy Chief Constable Julie Cooke at a recent meeting he attended – quoting Police Regulations 2003 and referencing a recent article in Policing Insight which questioned the police’s support for Pride events.

Dep Chf Con Cooke

He said: “Do you consider such an overt political statement to be appropriate for a senior officer to wear, given that the police should be seen to be impartial in all it does?”

Police forces are legally required to promote equality for communities which have protected characteristics – such as LGBT people – under the Equality Act 2010.

Five Labour members of the police and crime panel have now signed a separate open letter calling on Mr Fousert to resign – Cllrs Anthony Critchley, Jan Davidson, Brian Maher, Norman Plumpton Walsh and Martyn Delaney.

It said: “At a time when it is being reported that homophobic and transphobic hate crime has more than doubled over five years, we believe that it is now more important than ever that our police service takes seriously its obligation to the LGBT community.”

Police at Chester Pride 2018

In a statement posted on Cheshire Police’s website on Monday, Dep Chf Con Cooke – who is also the national LGBT+ lead for the National Police Chiefs Council – explained why she wears the lanyard.

She said: “Please consider what it’s like to be persecuted just because of the person you love or the person you are.

“People don’t choose to be gay or trans, it’s just who they are. And like everyone else, they have the right to feel comfortable and confident in work as well as when they walk down the street.”