A Conservative councillor from Wirral, recently in the news for alleged homophobia, took part in the first ever Liverpool Pride parade at the weekend.  

Councillor Denis Knowles, who represents Seacombe ward in Wallasey, was recently cleared of homophobia by LGBTory, the Conservative LGBT group, and although the group’s Chairman, Matthew Sephton, stated his comments had been “inappropriate” he was satisfied that he isn’t a homophobe.

Councillor Knowles, who has since become a member of the Terence Higgins Trust and has been working closely with their Merseyside group, was spotted marching in the Liverpool parade wearing a blue THT tee shirt with red ribbon and appeared relaxed and to be enjoying the experience.

Matthew Sephton, LGBTory Chairman, commented, “It was great to have Denis in the parade with both THT and LGBTory.  He enjoyed the day and even helped out on the LGBTory stall for a little while.  It is important to have the visual support and presence of elected representatives at these events whenever possible and to have Denis join us not only was an illustration of the support that Liverpool Pride has had from Conservative-led Wirral Council but of how seriously Denis has taken the findings of the investigation into his alleged homophobia.”

“I know that Denis has also been working closely with his local THT branch and I’m glad to hear about that.  Liverpool Pride was a fantastic event for its first year and we feel privileged to have taken part in it, in one of the UK’s premier and historic yet modern cities.”

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