Christopher Joell-Deshields, the former head of Pride in London (PIL), has admitted contempt of court.
As reported by Third Sector, the news comes after the ex-chief executive failed to deliver social media and bank account login details relating to the organisation, and was “accused of trying to block access to the organisation’s bank and social media accounts by taking passwords, login details and a mobile phone with him after he was suspended over alleged serious misconduct,” the article says.
Christopher was suspended from PIL in August 2025 over allegations of bullying and of financial and corporate mismanagement. His employment was then terminated this month (April 2026).
Christopher’s admission comes after a recent BBC investigation heard that the festival “failed to act for years on complaints about alleged bullying and misconduct by its former boss.”
The article goes on to say that “current and former volunteers have alleged that during Christopher Joell-Deshields’ leadership of Pride in London (PIL), they witnessed a director’s company credit card being used for a holiday to Mykonos, “questionable” financial decisions, and a lack of transparency over his £87,500 salary.”
This year’s London Pride, set to take place on 4 July 2026, is currently set to go ahead as planned. Christopher is set to be sentenced later this year.
