Now that the facts have been ascertained about the peaceful demonstration by the trans protesters, we should focus on what is being done to bring the attacker to justice and to help the poor trans woman who was unnecessarily assaulted as a consequence of this misguided policy.

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Please see the later article published by Pink News, quoting from Commander Allen's second statement, which sets the record straight:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9005.html

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And well done, also, for reinstating the 'deleted' comments above.

Is there some way of linking the three articles? At the moment the new article stands alone and is not linked in the 'related articles' section at the bottom of the page…

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…don't Trans people deserve the same rights and protection??

Isn't is supposed to be lgbT??

If you don't set the record straight, then remember every time something ludicrous has been said about gay people in the media – think of what you thought of that journalist's honour and integrity – and then realise that people are thinking it of you…

It would take no effort for you to write a correction and it would stop the feeling that straight people like me are developing – that a lot of the gay community are transphobic – which is a terrible thing.

Please restore my faith and do what is right…

Thanks.

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Sophie.

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Sophie.

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Christina

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Please correct the article, and publish a retraction. If it was one of your reporters falsely accused of violence, you'd have done it already.

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Again thank you for the link christina. I will check facebook out, it is something i have not used.

I suggested in response to another post that perhaps the CCTV footage could be made public so we can see that nothing happened. That maybe the best approach to this and then we would have closure?

Sandra

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I suggested that the CCTV should be seen. Why was that comment deemed bad?

Sandra

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Steve Allen
Commander,
City of Westminster

8th August 2008

On Tuesday evening, 29th July, I together with other MPS colleagues, met with a number of people from the transgender communities in an open meeting in Westminster. This meeting came about as a consequence of events during Pride celebrations on 5 July.

The meeting generated a lively and helpful discussion about a range of issues covering the relevant incidents and wider issues of trust and confidence between the police and trans people. There were a number of areas talked about where I believe the MPS can now make further progress as a result.

The point was made, a number of times during the evening, about the need for us all to listen to and learn from each other.

Part of the learning has been about the impact on the trans communities of early responses from the MPS. In particular, it is clear that my "open letter" had a very different impact from the one I intended. My intention was to provide reassurance that a senior officer had taken ownership and was determined to learn the organisational lessons that would undoubtedly emerge.

I offer my personal and sincerest apology that my letter did not have the effect I had intended and upon closer reflection I can see why this caused deep upset to some of the trans communities. It was never my intention to suggest that my officer's actions would not be investigated or that there would be no need to offer advice and improved training to him and his colleagues.

It is clear that members of the trans communities and the officer found themselves involved in a set of circumstances for which the trans communities were not responsible. They were clearly the victims. It has been claimed that the demonstrators assaulted stewards – examination of CCTV evidence demonstrates that these claims are mistaken. Despite the best endeavours and intentions of the officer, these obviously came across in a way, which caused misinterpretation, confusion and hurt.

I hope that the response of the MPS speaks more loudly than my initial choice of words. We have taken ownership of the issues at a very senior level; we have circulated advice about the GRA to our officers; we have resolved the complaint against the police officer to the satisfaction of the party involved and continue to investigate with full vigour a number of criminal offences connected with these events. We have also, of course, held an open meeting to maintain dialogue with the community.

I have asked the Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate to hold a de-brief of these events with MPS practitioners to ensure we get the maximum learning from them. I know that a significant issue to be taken forward is the raising of awareness and training of our staff and the Diversity & Citizen Focus Directorate are now looking at options that further expand our developing partnerships with our transgender support associations who can assist us with our continued learning of this complex arena of diversity.

We have to start from where we are, not where we would like to be. Mistakes have been made and I and certainly my colleagues within the Diversity and Citizen Focus Directorate are aware of the disappointment and anxieties the trans communities have felt over this highly regrettable incident. We have for some years striven to understand the many issues, which beset the trans communities and in so many ways we have succeeded in listening and responding.

Obviously the MPS has let you down on this occasion for which we have to double our efforts to repair and restore the much needed trust and confidence which can enable us to progress these issues in order to deliver very real and meaningful change.

Regards

Steve Allen
Commander

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