Following the NICS’s decision, Murtagh said:
“As a result of a High Court ruling last year, the NICS has made the decision not to participate in this year’s Belfast Pride. This comes in the context of Belfast Pride affirming their view that Pride is protest and continuing to ban the participation of NI Executive parties in the parade.
“This obviously puts the NICS in a difficult position. Impartiality is a core value of the civil service, it ensures public confidence that officials will deliver on behalf of elected ministers, irrespective of political party or viewpoint.
“We recognise that the NICS decision not to participate will be disappointing to many civil servants, particularly those who identify as LGBT+.
“We also acknowledge that Pride is a global celebration that brings people together to support, recognise, and uplift LGBT+ communities while promoting equality, dignity, and inclusion for all.
“We welcome that the NICS has underlined its commitment to creating equal, inclusive and diverse workplaces. As an employer, the NICS must ensure LGBT+ colleagues continue to feel that their workplace is a safe and inclusive environment.
“The decision not to participate as an organisation does not extend to a prohibition on civil servants attending in a personal capacity, and we will work to ensure that any members planning to attend feel able to, and face no repercussions for doing so.”
As the political temperature rises in the lead up to Northern Ireland’s May election, the FDA’s National Officer for Northern Ireland Robert Murtagh has once again called on MLAs to “keep civil servants out of the political crossfire.”
FDA General Secretary Dave Penman spoke as part of the Bright Blue Panel ‘can AI improve public services?’ at Conservative Party Conference 2026 on Monday 5 October.
While these changes begin to address challenges identified by our members in the CPS, the union continues its call for increased CPS funding, in order to help tackle these crimes long-term.
