Blunkett approves funding for gay police association

The Home Secretary has given his support to gay police by agreeing publicly to fund for the first time a national association for homosexual and lesbian officers.

David Blunkett's decision is a major vote of confidence for the 650 openly gay officers in forces in the UK and places them on a par with female and ethnic-minority officers who already have national organisations paid for by the state.

The Lesbian and Gay Police Association speculated yesterday that as many as 16,000 officers and civilian staff in the force might be gay, although most choose not to be open about their sexuality.

The organisation said that Mr Blunkett's financial backing would enable it to contribute to Government efforts to recruit more police constables, by targeting gay communities which have traditionally been wary of the force.

The Home Office said: "Funding was granted because LAGPA were able to show that they are contributing to the Home Secretary's aims for the police service. This funding will enable LAGPA to operate on an equal footing with other minority staff associations such as the National Black Police Association and the British Association of Women Police."

Stephen Warwick, a serving police inspector who will now work full-time for LAGPA, said the new funding would enable the organisation to provide help to isolated gay officers in rural forces.

He said: "We will move from being a shoestring organisation to a genuinely national operation. We are going to be much more assertive and pro-active."

LAGPA will campaign for gay officers to be given same-sex pension rights. It is also arranging a series of events for gay officers around the country so that they can feel more supported and secure in their work. One social event, designed to show gay officers that they are not alone, is planned to coincide with the Edinburgh tattoo.

The female section of LAGPA recently hosted a national gathering in Brighton and is planning a "summer barbecue" to encourage more lesbian officers to join the organisation.

Paul Cahill, a police inspector and LAGPA's chairman, said Mr Blunkett's offer of funding was "a welcome and much-needed gesture" and would help more gay officers to "come out" about their sexuality. "There is much evidence that indicates that the police service can often be an unwelcoming place for an officer making such a choice," he said.

Britain's highest-ranking, openly gay officer is Commander Brian Paddick of the Metropolitan Police. He led a police drugs experiment in Lambeth, south London, which involved giving cannabis users a verbal warning rather than arresting them.

His sexuality became an issue earlier this year when a national newspaper published allegations by a former partner that he allowed cannabis to be smoked and stored in his flat. Mr Paddick has strongly denied the claims, which are under investigation by Scotland Yard. Mr Paddick has claimed that, though he has generally been well-supported by colleagues, he has been the victim of prejudice from a few senior officers.

He has also taken an active role in improving conditions for gay officers at Scotland Yard, including helping to draft guidelines on dealing with people with HIV.