The leadership of one of the United Kingdom’s most prominent LGBTQ+ organisations, Pride in London, has been thrown into turmoil following a series of explosive allegations against its chief executive, Christopher Joell-Deshields. The claims, which surfaced publicly in early September 2025, have triggered an internal investigation, a suspension, and a swirl of confusion about who is truly at the helm of the organisation as it faces renewed scrutiny over its governance and workplace culture.
According to The Guardian, whistleblowers within Pride in London have accused Joell-Deshields of misappropriating or misusing company gifts and funds, including the purchase of luxury perfumes with sponsor-donated vouchers, and engaging in behaviour that could damage the organisation’s reputation. The allegations also include breaches of internal policies relating to bullying, harassment, and financial controls. Sources told The Guardian that Joell-Deshields had been suspended by a newly reconstituted board of London LGBT Community Pride CIC, the community interest company that oversees the event. However, Joell-Deshields has publicly disputed his suspension, insisting, “I remain in my role as CEO of Pride in London and as a director of London LGBT Community Pride CIC. The current legal and governance matters relate to the organisation itself. These matters are being addressed through the appropriate channels, and it would be inappropriate to litigate them in the press. Nothing in this statement should be interpreted as an admission of any allegation, nor does it comment on any other individual.”
Adding to the confusion, a press release from Pride in London—reportedly not authorised by the board—declared that Joell-Deshields “continues as Chief Executive Officer” and that day-to-day operations remain unaffected. Meanwhile, the board has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the investigation. In a statement to PinkNews, a spokesperson said, “The Board of Directors is aware of a number of allegations and is taking action to investigate these claims. We are not in a position to comment further while these investigations are taking place, save to say that we take such allegations extremely seriously, and remain committed to upholding a safe, open and inclusive organisation that is compliant with its legal and governance obligations.”
The allegations against Joell-Deshields are wide-ranging and have been corroborated by several sources, including current and former volunteers, as reported by the BBC and Evening Standard. Aside from the misuse of sponsor gifts, Joell-Deshields is accused of overseeing a toxic workplace culture, including sending inappropriate WhatsApp messages to a disabled volunteer—reportedly calling them “obnoxious”—and inviting a former volunteer dismissed for bullying to serve as his runner, a move ultimately blocked by the director of people. There are also reports of a separate ongoing legal dispute concerning alleged discrimination against disabled volunteers within the organisation.
Rebecca Paisis, previously the director of events, has been appointed as interim CEO, according to the Evening Standard. However, Joell-Deshields appears to contest both the legitimacy of the new board and his removal, suggesting he is the victim of a witch hunt and expressing “concern about the intentions of the people who had instigated the investigation.”
The allegations could not have come at a more precarious time for Pride in London and similar organisations across the UK. As the BBC notes, many pride organisations are facing a drop in both financial support and volunteer numbers. Pride in London itself is financed by a City Hall five-year grant of up to £625,000, along with its own fundraising efforts. Several volunteers have expressed fears to the BBC that the current controversy could further damage the organisation’s credibility and hamper its ability to secure new funding or attract volunteers in the future. “People initially found it hard to speak out because of the very fragile state of pride organisations in the UK,” one volunteer told the BBC on condition of anonymity. Another added that volunteers had grown “increasingly frustrated” at what they described as a “culture of bullying” that “very much came from the top.”
This is not the first time Pride in London has found itself embroiled in controversy. In May 2021, the organisation issued a public apology after multiple directors resigned amid allegations of racism and bullying, which included the creation of a “hostile environment” for people of colour. At that time, Joell-Deshields had pledged to lead “transformative change,” promising to build a more inclusive environment for London’s LGBTQ+ community. The current investigation has reignited concerns about whether those promises have been fulfilled and whether the organisation’s leadership is fit for purpose.
The ongoing investigation has also raised questions about governance and transparency at Pride in London. An internal letter seen by the BBC reportedly informed volunteer directors that three directors of the London LGBT Community Pride CIC had “ceased to be directors,” with a new board made up of existing volunteers created to oversee the process. The lack of clear communication and the public dispute over leadership have only added to the uncertainty, with many in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond watching closely to see how the situation will be resolved.
Despite the leadership crisis, Pride in London’s most recent parade in July 2025 saw hundreds of groups march from Hyde Park Corner through Piccadilly Circus and on to Whitehall Place, celebrating the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ history. The event, one of Europe’s largest pride celebrations, remains a symbol of progress and visibility for the community, even as its organising body grapples with serious internal challenges.
As the investigation continues, the board has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe, open, and inclusive environment for all involved. “We take such allegations extremely seriously,” the board said in its statement to PinkNews. “We remain committed to upholding a safe, open and inclusive organisation that is compliant with its legal and governance obligations.” For now, the future leadership of Pride in London remains in flux, with the outcome of the investigation likely to have lasting implications for both the organisation and the wider LGBTQ+ community it serves.
With the spotlight firmly fixed on its leadership and values, Pride in London faces a crucial test of accountability and resilience at a time when trust and transparency are needed most.
