A Reform UK councillor has spoken publicly after police dropped charges against her following an arrest at a Pride event, bringing an end to a six-month investigation.
Amanda Clare, who has served as a local councillor since 2019, was arrested over allegations of assault and criminal damage linked to her attendance at a Pride event. She has now confirmed that police decided there was no case to answer.
Speaking in an interview on GB News, Clare said the experience had been distressing and had a serious impact on her personal and professional life.
Why Amanda Clare Attended Pride Events
Amanda Clare said she attended Pride events in her role as an elected councillor, not as a protester. According to her, her interest focused on how local councils handle policies linked to public events, children’s safeguarding, and the use of public spaces.
She explained that her concerns were raised after seeing images online from Pride events that included performances she believed may not be suitable for children. Clare said she decided to attend events herself to observe and document what was taking place.
“I wanted to see for myself what was happening,” she said. “Some of the things I saw concerned me, so I took photos and videos as evidence.”
Claims Raised About Pride Events
During the interview, Clare described what she said she witnessed at Pride events in Chester in 2023 and Winsford the following year. She claimed that some stalls and performances were visible to children and raised safeguarding concerns.
She stressed that her intention was not to oppose Pride events entirely, but to push for clearer policies and age-appropriate boundaries at publicly accessible events. Clare said she later raised these issues through official council channels.
Arrest and Police Investigation
Clare said she was arrested after accusations were made by third parties at the event. She stated that the arresting officer did not personally witness the alleged offences and acted on reports made at the scene.
According to Clare, tensions escalated after a performer on stage publicly accused her of being homophobic, which she says led to a hostile crowd reaction. She described being surrounded and shouted at, along with two female friends.
She denied all allegations and said that the events did not happen as claimed by those who reported her.
Charges Dropped After Six Months
After waiting six months, Clare was informed that police would not proceed with the case. She said the charges were formally dropped and that there was no evidence to support them.
“There was never a case to answer,” she said.
Clare added that the uncertainty during the investigation was difficult, especially due to concerns about reputational damage and public perception.
Impact on Her Political Role
During the investigation, Clare voluntarily stepped down from her employment role to avoid any negative impact on her employer. However, she said that Reform UK retained the whip and continued to support her throughout the process.
She confirmed that the party welcomed the outcome and supported her decision to speak publicly after the case concluded.
What Happens Next
Clare said she is currently discussing possible next steps with legal advisers but did not provide further details.
She added that she hopes her experience raises questions about public accountability, due process, and how allegations at public events are handled.
Why This Story Matters
The case highlights ongoing debates around:
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Policing at public demonstrations
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The role of councillors at community events
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Safeguarding concerns at publicly funded festivals
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The impact of long investigations on public figures
It also raises broader questions about how allegations are managed when political and cultural tensions are involved.
