Andy Burnham and GMP chief urged to apologise for 'homophobic policing' of 1980s

The Peter Tatchell Foundation has called on civic and police leaders to issue apologies for the 'abusive and often unlawful manner' now repealed laws were enforced

16:41, 24 Apr 2025

Chief Constable Stephen Watson has been urged to make an apology(Image: MEN Media)

A leading human rights foundation has urged mayor Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Stephen Watson to issue 'a formal apology for decades of abusive, homophobic policing that devastated the lives of LGBT+ people'.

A letter, sent by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said it was not seeking an apology for homophobic laws that have since been repealed, but asks the two leaders to say sorry for the 'abusive and often unlawful manner' in which legislation was enforced.

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The Foundation, led by director Peter Tatchell, praised the force for its 'current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community', but condemned the approach of 1980s Chief Constable James Anderton, AIDS sufferers were 'swirling around in a cesspit of their own making'.

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As part of its #ApologiseNow campaign, the Foundation said 21 UK police forces have issued apologies, including the Metropolitan, City of London, Sussex, Merseyside, Police Scotland and Northumberland.

The letter, authored by Peter Tatchell, added that while Mr Burnham and Chf Con Watson were 'not responsible' for past wrongs, an apology would be an 'important acknowledgement' and 'help rebuild trust' between the police and LGBTQ+ communities.

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"I want to express my gratitude to you and Manchester police officers for your current supportive policies towards the LGBT+ community," he wrote. "This progress is commendable.

"However, for many decades, attitudes and practices were starkly different. Greater Manchester Police subjected LGBT+ people to extreme persecution. They were some of the most vicious and aggressively homophobic police in Britain; putting huge resources into targeting the LGBT+ community for consenting victimless behaviour."

James Anderton led GMP in the 1980s(Image: Mirrorpix)

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The letter detailed practices enforced by former GMP Chf Con James Anderton. He was known for controversial opinions and hard line views. He faced calls to step down after claims about AIDS sufferers.

"The Greater Manchester force devoted excessive resources to hunting down LGBT+ people for behaviour that harmed no one," the letter adds. "Officers engaged in harassment, entrapment, agent provocateurs, raids on private parties and public shaming - destroying lives.

"The release of the names and addresses of arrested men to the media and subsequent publication in local papers led to humiliation, ostracism, job losses and evictions. Many were assaulted in the street and had their homes and cars vandalised.

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Andy Burnham has been asked to compel Chief Constable Watson to apologise(Image: Manchester Evening News)

"As victims of homophobic crime, they got no help or protection for the police. Some were driven to mental breakdowns or even attempted suicide."

Sir James Anderton died in 2022.

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A Greater Manchester Combined Authority spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News the letter had been received and that the mayor would be giving it due consideration.

A GMP spokesperson said: "The GMP of today is proud to serve and protect all communities in our dynamic city-region.

"We strive to engage with all our diverse communities to understand their non-recent experiences and ensure they feel policing of today is doing more to listen to concerns and work together to make Greater Manchester a safer place for everyone."