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Assembly to review funding of World Pride London

20 September 2012

The London Assembly has launched an investigation into what went wrong with the funding of World Pride London earlier this year.

Despite the free use of Trafalgar Square and up to £100,000 of funding from the Mayor of London, just 10 days before the event Pride organisers announced a financial shortfall resulting in significant scaling back of the parade and planned entertainment. 

As a result, participation in the procession was estimated at between 5,000 and 25,000 rather than attendances of 800,000 recorded in previous years.

As part of its investigation, the Assembly’s Greater London Authority (GLA) Oversight Committee will look at:

  • The reasons for and processes by which the decision to scale-back the event were taken;
  • The role of the Mayor in supporting World Pride London;
  • The role of London and Partners in supporting Pride and the impact on London’s reputation of its scaling-back; and
  • The Mayor’s objectives for future support for London Pride and what lessons can be learnt for any other large-scale community events.

Chair of the GLA Oversight Committee, Len Duvall AM, said:

“Instead of being proud to host World Pride in 2012, London was left with the embarrassment of a much reduced event surrounded by confusion and an apparent lack of careful financial monitoring.

“Our investigation will look at what went wrong and, more importantly, how such fiascos can be avoided in the future. We must be sure that when the Mayor puts taxpayers’ cash and the city’s reputation on the line risks are minimised.”

Notes for editors:

  1. More information about the investigation into World Pride London funding.
  2. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Mark Demery in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 5769/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 0207 983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.