The Police Service of Northern Ireland's second-in-command has faced criticism after describing the decision to withdraw from the Belfast Pride parade as the most difficult of his 25-year career.

Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton made the comment at a Pride community event at the weekend, referring to the 2023 move to stop officers and staff participating in the parade in uniform. The PSNI took that step on impartiality grounds, a first for any UK force.

Singleton told the audience the choice was "the hardest and most difficult thing" he had been involved with across a quarter-century of policing. He acknowledged the impact on the LGBTQIA community and on internal colleagues for whom the parade had been significant.

The comment quickly drew rebukes. Trevor Clarke, the Democratic Unionist Party's policing board lead, said the remark showed an astonishing absence of perspective given the serious threats officers face in Northern Ireland. He called the comments ill-judged and warned they risk undermining public confidence in impartiality.

Former deputy director of the National Crime Agency Roy McComb, who previously headed the PSNI's organised crime branch, suggested Singleton might rethink the phrasing. The campaign group Fair Cop, which opposes politicisation in policing, posted that such a statement raised questions about suitability for command.

Singleton later expanded on his remarks, stating that the 2023 decision had been proven correct by a subsequent High Court ruling in England. That case found that Northumbria Police's attendance at a similar event breached impartiality obligations. He stressed that police regulations have long prohibited officers from taking part in political protests or demonstrations while in uniform.

He added that the PSNI continues to engage with the LGBTQIA community through other Pride events, insisting the force was committed to being representative and accountable.