THE organiser of a Pride event taking place this weekend has told critics that they will “look like idiots” if they protest against its sponsorship by a company that sells arms to homophobic regimes.

Stephen Ireland, 35, told demonstrators not to “cause trouble” and said he was “thrilled” that weapons manufacturer BAE Systems was the main sponsor of this weekend’s debut Pride in Surrey event in Woking.

He refuses to say how much money the bomb-maker is giving towards the gay rights march, though the company has previously boasted of an £11 million “community investment” war chest to help sponsor such events.