The head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has informed staff that the organisation will not participate in this year's Belfast Pride parade.

A communication confirming the withdrawal was issued jointly by Jayne Brady, head of the civil service, and the team of permanent secretaries.

In previous years the civil service had taken part in the parade and Ms Brady had been photographed at the event with an LGBTQ+ progress flag.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland had already confirmed its own withdrawal from the parade earlier in the year.

No reason for the decision was provided in the staff message. The civil service code requires senior officials to remain politically impartial at all times.

The move follows public discussion about the participation of public bodies in events that advocate for contested policy changes.