Pride in London parade kicks off without the city’s Mayor Boris Johnson

The parade for this year’s Pride in London has kicked off, without the Mayor of London Boris Johnson in attendance.

The parade left from Baker Street, and will move on to Trafalgar Square.

Andrew Boff, elected leader of the GLA Conservative Group, who is attending Pride to represent the Mayor, told PinkNews that Boris “is a busy man”.

Mr Boff stressed the support the Mayor has given to Pride so far, including pledging £500,000 support to the event over the next five years, and hosting a gala dinner to raise money for pride, earlier this week.

A City Hall source also told PinkNews: “Boris rotates his appearances every year. He can’t attend everything every year but he’s the biggest funder of pride”

In attendance leading the parade were the Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Yvette Cooper, and Labour MP for Rhondda Chris Bryant.

BBC News presenter Jane Hill this week spoke at the dinner, to commend the progress in the UK for gay rights, but to say that, around the world, as well as in the UK, there is still a lot to do for equality.

Mr Johnson also argued this week that while London is a tolerant city, more needs to be done to tackle homophobia in the workplace and schools.

Back in 2010, at Pride, the Mayor told PinkNews.co.uk that he supported equal marriage and said he wanted to make sure he was Mayor for Worldpride in 2012.

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