UKIP banned from joining London Pride parade

UKIP have been banned from joining this year's London Pride parade, after organisers said they feared for the safety of participants if the party were to take part.

Organisers of the LGBT event said they had to "wrestle with a difficult issue" when deciding whether or not to allow a group from the right-wing political party to enter the parade. It follows a large online petition calling for UKIP to be banned from the event - but organisers said the decision was not political, adding that it was 'undeniable' that the party has LGBT members.

UKIP has attracted controversy in the past for its stance on gay marriage. Before this year's general election it said it would give legal protection in the workplace to religious people who oppose same-sex marriage because of their beliefs.

UKIP's LGBT chair, Flo Lewis, said the decision was a "sad day for diversity and freedom", adding that "all people, regardless of creed, colour or sexual orientation, can find a home in UKIP".