Pride: Sadiq Khan praises 'best antidote' as 26,000 people turn out for London celebrations

Credit: PA

Sadiq Khan has praised Pride celebrations in London as the "best antidote" to recent horrors with around one million estimated to have watched the parade.

The Mayor of London said this year's Pride was the biggest ever, and had helped people to overcome the recent terror attacks and Grenfell Tower fire.

More than 26,000 turned out for the gathering, where the parade snaked along a 1.4-mile route through the capital.

Emergency service members who helped in the aftermath of Grenfell and the Manchester and London attacks launched the march on Saturday afternoon.

More than 26,000 people are believed to have taken part. Credit: PA

Speaking to the crowd, Mr Khan said: "We've had a horrible last few weeks. We've had terror, we've had tragedy.

"You know what the best antidote to sorrow, the best antidote to sadness, to bereavement, to hatred, is Pride In London."

And he was defiant that there would be no backtracking on LGBT rights after the Conservatives struck a deal with Northern Ireland's DUP to prop up a government.

To huge applause, he said: "You (the Government) may have done a deal with the DUP but there will be no backtracking on LGBT+ rights."There will be no backtracking on women's rights."

A reveller is sprayed with water at Pride celebrations. Credit: PA

The parade comes after what is believed to be the world's largest Pride festival, with over 100 events since June 24.

A rainbow flag was been projected on to the Palace of Westminster for the first time, as part of the celebrations.

During the celebrations, a video message of Prime Minister Theresa May was projected, to some boos.

In it, she said the UK "will continue to stand up for human rights, directly challenging at the highest political levels governments that criminalise homosexuality or practice violence and discrimination against LGBT Plus people".

She added: "And here at home too, we must continue to stand up for true equality and respect for everyone, right across our United Kingdom.

Police officers watch over Pride celebrations. Credit: PA

Meanwhile, Lord Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords, said: "Homosexuality is still illegal in over 70 countries around the world, including many in the Commonwealth.

"None of this will be solved by a march, or a display of lights in Westminster.

"But these acts will demonstrate to those who are being persecuted or abused that they are supported.

"The lights are a symbol of our support."