LONDON All men and women in the Army were told yesterday that they are banned from wearing their uniform or any other article of clothing that could identify them as soldiers if they wish to attend a Gay Pride march at the end of next week.

The strict edict has been issued by General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff. He has also forbidden any recruiting. The decision comes after a highly sensitive internal debate between the three Service chiefs over whether gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces should be allowed openly to participate in the event, in London on June 30.

As The Times reported on Saturday, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, has given his blessing to gay sailors marching in uniform. There were sailors in uniform at last year’s event.

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