Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy has said Durham Pride 2026 will be “bigger and better” than ever, despite the “divisive” Reform UK-led council’s pulling of funds.

On 14 August, Durham County Council’s deputy leader, Darren Grimes – a gay former GB News presenter – attacked the city’s Pride event , stating that the funding will instead be diverted to services that aren’t “contested causes”.

Labour MP for the City of Durham, Mary Kelly Foy, told PinkNews the withdrawal of funding was no surprise, given the council had already removed a Pride flag outside County Hall.

But she stressed that Durham Pride 2026 was never at risk: the council “barely provided any funding” in the first place.

“The event doesn’t exist because of local authority funding. It exists because of its hardworking Chair, Mel M

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