Transgenderism: 'Shambolic' civil service decision-making over Belfast pride parade in spotlight

The TUV has uncovered internal emails from senior officials within the Department of Finance (which is responsible for the civil service) which show the head of the service Jayne Brady being warned that attendance at the event “leaves NICS and you open to the charge of acting politically”.

However, she was also advised that “not attending also leaves you open to the charge that we are not living up to our commitments to be a fair and equitable employer that supports diversity”.

The parade is taking place this Saturday.

While Ms Brady will not be there personally, civil servants will be.

One reason why this is controversial is because one of its central themes nowadays is transgenderism – and in particular, opposition to the Stormont Executive's ban on prescribing puberty blockers to children who say they are transgender.

The internal emails were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

The TUV's equality spokeswoman Ann McClure said that they "lift the lid on the shambolic and politicised decision-making within our Civil Service over participation in Belfast Pride".

“It is now beyond dispute that senior officials were fully aware of the political sensitivities surrounding participation in Belfast Pride," she said.

"Particularly following the decision of organisers to align themselves with those who object to decisions taken in order to safeguard children from harmful drugs – yet the civil service pressed ahead regardless."

One key question arising from this is whether Executive ministers were consulted, she said.

“In particular, the public deserves answers from the DUP Deputy First Minister," she said.

"Was she consulted? Did she oppose this? ... The DUP cannot continue to sit on the fence on these issues.

"What exactly is the point of their ministers being in office if they can’t even prevent the civil service from actively participating in a 'Pride' parade which is openly critical of the Executive’s own decisions?”

The TUV comments were put to the Department of Finance and Executive Office, neither of which had responded at time of writing.

The DUP sent a statement saying: “Public sector organisations should not be involved in political campaigns, yet Belfast Pride have chosen a theme which explicitly challenges not just decisions of the Northern Ireland Executive, but the ruling of the Supreme Court.

“Those are decisions that are to be implemented by a politically-neutral civil service. By participating in this parade it is impossible to escape the implication that the Civil Service LGBTQ+ Staff Network is actively campaigning in at least two directly political issues.

“NICS participation in the event is a matter for the head of the NI Civil Service – not ministers.

"When the Deputy First Minister was made aware of proposed participation by NICS staff, she formally expressed her view that such participation was inappropriate.

"The irony here is striking. While the TUV issue yet another baseless attack on the DUP, they ask what ministers can actually do.

"This year’s Pride theme is a direct protest against decisions taken by DUP ministers in the Executive – specifically the move to protect vulnerable children by banning the sale of puberty blockers to under 18s. That was real action, real influence.

“While DUP ministers were shaping public policy in government, the TUV were shouting from the sidelines – with no power, no impact, and no responsibility.”