Stafford Pride accuses county council of 'homophobia' and threatens legal action
Organisers for Stafford Pride have accused Staffordshire County Council of ‘homophobia’ over its failure to pay out a community grant from two councillors.
The grant allocated by Stafford councillors Jack Rose and Ann Edgeller has been awaiting approval since July. It is understood that the council has paid every other community grant except for Stafford Pride.
In a social media post, Stafford Pride accused the council of being ‘institutionally homophobic’. The post said: “They are refusing an honest answer and continually stating it is with the Reform UK cabinet member for approval since July.
“Councillors Rose and Edgeller have been fabulous and we thank them for their continued support, but this is simple and vile homophobia from the council.”
The pride festival, which was first held in 2024, has gone from strength to strength, with up to 8,000 people attending last year’s event, headlined by drag queen Baga Chipz.
The latest action follows a row in June last year where Pride leaders demanded an apology from then council leader, Ian Cooper. At the time Councillor Cooper said taxpayers’ money was not going to be spent on Pride.
In a statement announcing legal action, the organisers of Stafford Pride state: “Today as an organisation and supported by the generosity of a high profile lawyer we have commenced legal proceedings against Staffordshire County Council. This is not and has never been about the money that was kindly allocated to us by the two councillors; this is about standing up.
“Standing defiant against homophobia; standing up to hate; standing side by side with our community.
“We can confirm this legal action will cost our CIC nothing and all monies will continue to be poured into Stafford Pride 2026!”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire County Council said: “All applications to our Members Community Fund are subject to a series of thorough checks and an approvals process before money is released.
“We have been working through this process for Stafford Pride’s application, as well as a number of others, and the grant for Stafford Pride has now been approved.
“We are aware that this has taken some time, but due diligence is important when spending taxpayers money – whatever the amount.
“We have received notification of the intention of the organiser to take legal action around the process and will engage positively with any formal proceedings as needed.”
