Shea: Apology accepted but 'dark days' of past won’t be forgotten

Gay rights campaigner welcomes letter from Manx chief constable

The gay rights campaigner who led the way for decriminalisation of homosexuality on the Island says he has accepted an apology from the police.

Yesterday Chief Constable Gary Roberts released a five-page letter saying he was sorry for the ways in which some members of the Isle of Man Constabulary had enforced laws whilst it was illegal.  

Alan Shea’s protest on Tynwald Hill in 1991 was seen as the catalyst for laws being changed the following year – in a post on social media he said people had lived through 'dark days'.

Mr Shea's statement, co-signed by fellow campaigner Hazel Hannan, says whilst pleased with the apology it does not address the ‘full horror’ of the time when the law was applied with ‘religious zeal’.

However they add that they hope it will bring comfort to the families affected by the approach at the time.

Mr Roberts’ letter will go on display in the Cabinet of Queeriosity in the Manx Museum.