The UK is reeling from the latest gender lobby scandal.

The founder of an LGBTQ organisation in England is facing serious charges. Forty-year-old Stephen Ireland, founder and former director of Pride in Surrey, and David Sutton, a former Pride in Surrey volunteer, were arrested by police last week and jointly charged with 15 offences – including conspiring to sexually assault and abduct children and to commit sexual offence against them. They are also accused of planning to drug their victims.

Ireland was charged with an additional 22 offences, including rape of a child under the age of 13, making, possessing and distributing child pornography.

Police say all the offences are alleged to have occurred between August 2022 and July 2024. Pride in Surrey is a non-profit organisation based in the London suburb of Woking. The NGO claims its mission is to celebrate the inclusion and diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and community.

The group said it first learned of the allegations on June 12, and that both Ireland’s and Sutton’s memberships were immediately suspended and Ireland was stripped of his post as director.

„Like all of you, we are appalled and horrified by the charges brought against the two individuals. We will cooperate fully with Surrey Police in any way they require to ensure justice can be served,”

Pride in Surrey’s statement reads.