Newcastle United has lifted its ban on gender-critical fan Linzi Smith, acknowledging that her views are legally protected.
The football club revoked Smith’s membership and banned her from matches until 2026 over her public statements on social media defending biological reality last year.
She also won a case against Northumbria Police after the force investigated her social media posts for “malicious communications”, one of which stated simply “trans women are men”. The High Court ruled that the force’s participation in Pride marches breached its duty of impartiality.
Standing for truth
Smith told The Telegraph: “I’m just relieved it’s all over. I can start to move forward now. It was simply about doing the right thing and standing up for myself.”
She added: “All I ever really wanted was an acknowledgement that I had a right to say the things that I’m saying and get the ban lifted.”
The football fan explained how, due to the publicity of her case, she is worried for her safety when going back to the stadium: “I know there are individuals who vehemently disagree with me and I don’t know what would happen if they saw me there.”
She said: “I don’t go to the stadium for a confrontation. I go there to support my team”, adding, “I don’t really know when I’ll have the courage to go back in there, but I will go back.”
‘Absolutely delighted’
Smith has been supported by the Free Speech Union. Its general secretary, Lord Young of Acton, commented: “I’m absolutely delighted for Linzi who will now be able to return to St James’s Park to watch her beloved Newcastle.
“Banning her from attending games – home and away – because of her gender-critical beliefs was completely outrageous and I’m glad the football club has backed down.”
On the back of Smith’s victory against Northumbria Police, barrister and co-founder of the Fair Cop organisation Sarah Phillimore has launched legal action against Wiltshire Police for its participation in Pride marches.
James Gardner, from Conrathe Gardner LLP who is representing Phillimore, stated: “Before the Swindon Pride march took place, we reminded Wiltshire Police of their duty of impartiality, but it fell on deaf ears.”
‘Deeply contested’
He continued: “They lent their full support to the event, with a stall run by staff members wearing police T-shirts with Pride motifs and Progress lanyards, displaying Pride and Progress flags and handing out Pride stickers to the public.”
He explained: “This patently gives the public the impression that the police support trans causes, and these are based on the deeply contested issue of gender ideology.”
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