Former London Pride boss admits contempt of court

The suspended chief executive of Pride in London has admitted contempt of court after failing to hand back social media and bank account login details.

Event organiser London LGBT Community Pride CIC alleged that Christopher Joell-Deshields had tried to block access to bank accounts and social media by taking passwords, login details and a mobile phone with him after he was suspended over allegations of serious misconduct.

Lawyers for the organisation told previous hearings that he had failed to return the items despite being ordered to do so by a High Court judge.

In a court order, Mr Justice Cotter said that Joell-Deshields "admits that he acted in contempt of the court".

The order, seen by the Press Association on Thursday, said that Joell-Deshields "failed to deliver up" various documents, a WeWork pass and a SIM card which belonged to Pride in London, as well as plans for holding an event in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens in the capital.

It also said that he failed to provide usernames or passwords for several of Pride in London's online accounts, including Facebook, HM Revenue and Customs, PayPal and YouTube.

The order said that Joell-Deshields would be sentenced for the contempt in June or July, along with a second allegation of contempt for failing to file a witness statement, which he admitted in January.

Contempt can result in a sentence of up to two years in prison or a fine.

At a hearing in March, David Cunnington, for Pride in London, said that the organisation took legal action against Joell-Deshields as there were concerns he wanted to "develop a rival organisation" using confidential information obtained in his role as chief executive.

Deputy High Court Judge Matthew Butt KC ordered that the court would find in Pride in London's favour in the claim if Joell-Deshields did not file a defence by 13 April, which was not done.

Damages in the claim are to be determined at a later date. Joell-Deshields was blocked from using, publishing, holding or deleting company property or its confidential information.

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