The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today welcomed the statement of the new Mayor of Riga saying he was 'ashamed' of the attack on the Gay Pride march in that city last year and urged him to ensure that the peaceful Gay Pride march in the city this year could proceed:

Mr Livingstone said:

'I am greatly heartened by the statement of the newly elected Mayor of Riga, Janis Birks, that he was "ashamed" of the attack on the Gay Pride demonstration last year in Riga in which throwing of excrement and other attacks took place on the demonstrators.

'The Mayor has said that "The march needs to be safe from both sides. If security can be provided I do not see why they cannot march. But the question is where. Is society ready to see such a march in the city centre."

'But security is something that is under the control of the authorities. It is their duty to ensure that demonstrators are able to exercise their right to peaceful protest. I urge Mr Birks to complete the stand he has taken and ensure a peaceful Gay Pride demonstration takes place in an appropriate central venue in the city.'

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