THE legendary Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) group has rejected an invitation to lead London Pride amid a row over the parade’s politics. 

The miners’ strike heroes announced their withdrawal yesterday after organisers refused to allow trade union members to head the march with them. LGSM made the “difficult decision” to withdraw less than a week after revealing it had been handed the prestigious role. The invitation from the London Pride board came after the success of Pride, the Bafta-winning film about solidarity between the LGBT and mining communities during the 1984-85 strike. 

Original LGSM members were set to lead the June 27 parade alongside stars of the film and a sea of trade union members.