LGBT rights activist Peter Tatchell said he was “forcibly removed” from the Birmingham Pride parade by police on Saturday, despite being an invited speaker.

Mr Tatchell, 73, marched holding a placard calling on police to apologise for historic “anti-LGBT+ witch-hunts.” 

He said officers laughed when he raised past abuses, then tried to drown him out with whistles before physically removing him and members of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. 

They were reportedly threatened with arrest if they did not leave. 

Mr Tatchell claimed police falsely said organisers had requested his removal. 

But Birmingham Pride director Lawrence Barton said: “Peter was a very special guest. There’s no way we would have endorsed the police removing him.”

Organiser David Nash added: “Absolutely no instruction was given by anyone from Birmingham Pride to West Midlands Police to remove him.”

Mr Tatchell said: “My speech included criticism of the police’s refusal to apologise. I fear that may have riled them.”

West Midlands Police said Mr Tatchell was not arrested.