Pride in Surrey went ahead today. Its founder was convicted of child rape. Two directors were sexually involved with him. No review. No new leadership. You’d think they’d pause.
You’d be wrong.
A 🧵on the day… 1/
Firstly, a parade along the high Street in Guildford. Guildford MP @ZoeFranklinLD and Lib Dem leader of Guildford Council, @JuliaMcShane in attendance. 2/
The smallest Pride parade we’ve seen in a while. The usual signs and banners on display. 3/
Along the route the local church came out to support. We know they mean well 4/
The Pride event felt more like a poorly attended village fete. At least half the size of last year’s. Mostly small local business stalls, with a few exceptions. 5/
First up. Surrey Women’s Institute. Unwavering in their support of Pride in Surrey. Shame on them.@WomensInstitute 6/
Catalyst is a not-for-profit that runs Outline, the LGBT web chat service. Stephen Ireland was a patron. I was handed a ‘You are safe with me’ badge. Worrying 7/
The R*pe and Sexual Support Centre is next. Their website’s language makes us wonder: do they truly recognise the distinct support needs of women? 8/
Then comes the Brigette trust and Princess Alice hospice. Both local charities who care for people with serious and terminal illnesses 9/
Greenpeace. Why? 10/
Costco. The Co-OP. Hamptons Estate agents. Why. Why. Why. 11/
U3A Haslemere branch. 12/
The National Education union and Theb Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers 13/
Lib Dems had a stall. Julia McShane, Guildford Council leader, wore her ‘trans ally’ sticker. Cllr Catherine Houston dressed up for it 14/
Couldn’t help but notice this banner on our way out. Lesbian @bindelj was thrown out by private security. Several other gender-critical women were denied entry. What a disgrace.
15/15 end
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We’ve noticed some inaccuracies circulating about the Pride in Surrey trial. @Women_of_Surrey were the only outlet to attend the full proceedings and has been scrutinising the organisation for several years. Here’s where we set the record straight. 🧵 1/
Claim 1: Rape of the 12-year-old victim was filmed.
Fact: It wasn’t. The filmed encounter involved Sutton and an of age teenager 16/17 yrs. Ireland watched via webcam—without the man’s consent. Another teenager (of age) gave consent but regretted it
2/
Claim 2: David Sutton was a director of Pride in Surrey
Fact: David Sutton was a volunteer. A Pride hub assistant
3/
The Telegraph uncovers explosive claims against Pride in Surrey—from whistleblowers inside the org and voices outside. The big question: who knew what, and when?
Article in reply 👇
#Whistleblower #Safeguarding #Complaints 1/
Volunteers from within Pride in Surrey raised concerns with Surrey County Council over four years ago. Residents also contacted other supporters, including Woking and Guildford Borough Councils. All appear to have been ignored.
Despite Ireland and Sutton being remanded in August 2024, Guildford Borough Council proceeded to host the Pride event just weeks later - granting £3,261, including £509 for flags and bunting on the High Street 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
This, from a council reportedly near financial collapse the year before. What does this say about the council's priorities? How are decisions like these weighed—and by whom?
#BadDecision #PublicFunds
3/
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue (HMICFRS) has published their report to the effectiveness of vetting, professional standards, and counter-corruption arrangements in @SurreyPolice
Let’s take a look……..
👇 1/
There are 469 personnel who either don’t hold current vetting or the right level of vetting for their role. 30 people in the force whose vetting had expired so they didn’t have valid vetting clearance for their role. 2/
"We reviewed eight complaint investigations. Only four had terms of reference and one had an investigation plan. We saw records of decisions in only three cases and supervisory oversight in two cases" 3/
1/ Stephen Ireland, founder of @PrideInSurrey has been found guilty of r*pe of a 12 year old child. In addition, both he and David Sutton, a volunteer at Pride in Surrey, have been found guilty of other offences including voyeurism, making and distributing indecent photographs of children and intending to pervert the cause of justice . #Guilty
2/ Women of Surrey have been present at the trials of Stephen Ireland and David Sutton and we believe it’s time for Pride in Surrey to close its doors. Here’s why
👇
3/ During the trial we learnt that Ireland was previously married to a man who went on to identify as a woman. Ireland told the court that as a gay man he found this “difficult” as he is “not attracted to women”
#Trans
Today's poll - sportswomen who have spoken up on behalf of sports for women and girls. This is the toughest choice yet (personal opinion). Details in the following tweets in the thread but really, no introductions are necessary.
1/x
Candidates in alphabetical order by surname. First, gold medal winning boxer, @NicolaAdamsOBE. This tweet below had many on the edge of their seats..and those that followed were worth the wait. Thank you.
#SaveWomensSport 2/x
Our 2nd candidate @sharrond62 (personal hero) . Struggled against the injustice and tragedy of state sponsored doping during her competitive career. Fearless and persistent in support of women and girls. Book is a great read. Thank you. 3/x
#SaveWomensSports
Introducing our 3rd candidate for the Handmaiden's Edition of the Gender Poll: Julie Bentley, formerly of the Girl Guides now CEO at Samaritans. During her tenure, the Girl Guides became a mixed sex organisation.
🧵 1/x
Bentley left the Guides in 2018, after the formerly all girl organisation became 'inclusive', as usual without formal consultation and failing to respond to concerns.
🧵 2/x fairplayforwomen.com/guide-leaders-…
How is that approach now working out for the Girl Guides? It's hard to tell as the language used by the organisation goes out of it's way to obscure the fact that it is now mixed sex. Here's a quote from their communication guide:
🧵3/x