MAIL Online: Dozens of police stations lowered the Union Flag and replaced it with a gay rights banner to mark a day of action against homophobia.
One police chief said the rainbow flag demonstrated his force's support for homosexuals who felt they were victims of prejudice.
But critics warned that it was dangerous for forces to show support for particular campaigns.
Earlier this year, Britain's most senior policeman ordered his force not to fly any flags in support of individual groups.
Sir Paul Stephenson, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, instructed officers to remove a rainbow flag which had replaced a Union Flag at Limehouse police station, in East London, to mark Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender history month.
But elsewhere, four forces flew the gay rights flag at the weekend to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - the prejudice against transsexuals. >>> By James Tozer and Arthur Martin | Monday, May 18, 2009
