We write in reference to your featured article on www.gscene.com today entitled: Pride fail to show before Council Scrutiny Commission they had requested.
 
In the article you state that ‘Pride failed to show before the Scrutiny Commission yesterday to answer questions…’ this is at best misleading as Pride was not directly invited to attend the meeting, neither were we expected as the meeting was not designed as an opportunity for the Overview and Scrutiny Commission (OSC) members to question Pride Trustees.
 
In addition you state that ‘Pride had submitted a long list of things they wanted scrutinized that bore more relation to Pride future activities rather than past problems’ this is inaccurate and again misleading. As you know Pride contacted Tom Hook, Head of Overview and Scrutiny at Brighton and Hove City Council following the open Unity meeting at Charles Street on Tuesday 6th July 2010 where this was suggested by Chris Gull.
 
Three Pride Trustees met with Tom Hook on 12th August 2010 to invite the Council to conduct a scrutiny of the Charity’s operations over the last year to satisfy itself, as a key stakeholder. At this meeting it became very clear that the OSC would look to focus on the future of Pride and not the past – this was not our original request but their suggestion.
 
At no time did Pride submit a ‘long list’, in fact we submitted no list. The draft scope (list) of the Pride review was developed by Mr Hook.

It is with great regret that the OSC decided against a scrutiny of Pride. In their opinion the debrief sessions scheduled between Pride and the council is the best place to discuss the future of the event. We welcome and look forward to these discussions.

Pride remains open to a scrutiny and we are committed and determined to moving forward with the full support of our community. As previously stated by all parties, if this scrutiny is to go ahead, it will need to be independently organised to ensure a fair and proper process.
 
In light of the information above Pride would ask you to publicly clarify the misleading and inaccurate reporting in your article which appears to question Pride’s integrity and may bring the charity into disrepute.
Regards,
 
Pride in Brighton & Hove