A councillor claims a police officer 'laughed' after he reported receiving a death threat at Manchester Pride. Coun Jon-Connor Lyons says a fellow festival-goer told him 'F*** off, I'll kill you', before hurling abuse at his female friend during an altercation in the queue for a bar.
But Coun Lyons says when he reported the threat, a police officer 'laughed' at him. The incident took place around 8pm on Sunday in Sackville Gardens, he alleges.
Greater Manchester Police say they have since apologised to Coun Lyons following their 'disappointing' response, and are making enquiries into the incident.
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Coun Lyons says three men aged around 18 to 20 years old tried to push in the queue, but when he challenged them they replied 'F*** off, I'll kill you' before launching a stream of foul-mouthed insults at his friend. Coun Lyons said: "It was such a bizarre moment.
"They got behind us and tried to shove in and I said 'Absolutely no chance' and one of them said 'F***, I'll kill you'' then started hurling really horrible abuse at my friend.
"It was a really nasty. I was really shocked by the whole experience, but what made me really upset was that the police didn't want to help.
"I spoke to security then I spoke to a police officer who frustratingly laughed at me when I told him what had happened. Thankfully about 10 minutes later a senior member of Pride staff spoke to me, she was fantastic, and she got security to to go to the bar with me but by that time the lads had gone.
"There were hundreds of people there and we couldn't find them. It was my friend's first Pride. She was really upset, she was crying so we left after that.
"It was pretty shameful from police to be honest. They've reached out to me now and I'm due to speak to them this afternoon, but it's probably too late to do anything about it now."
Responding to Mr Lyons claims, a spokesperson for GMP said: "The victim of this incident has now been visited and spoken to after receiving a disappointing initial response from us, which we have apologised for.
"Enquiries are ongoing and appropriate action will be taken against anyone identified as making the reported threats."
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