Paul O’Grady was gearing up to lead a groundbreaking campaign before his untimely death this week.
The national treasure passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on Tuesday evening at the age of 67confirmed her husband Andre Portasio.
On Thursday, Paul’s close friend Linda Thorson revealed that the star died in his own bed with his husband Andre beside him.
Paul reportedly planned to lead a campaign calling on police to apologize for the ‘historic persecution’ of the LGBT+ community, the BBC reports.
Speaking on Wednesday, campaigner Peter Tatchell confirmed that Paul, who was a patron of the Tatchell foundation, would have spearheaded the initiative.
“He was a staunch opponent of the Thatcher government for its attacks on the LGBT+ community, particularly Section 28, and was appalled by the police harassment that continued into the 1990s,” he told the newspaper. broadcaster.
Paul had previously spoken of being at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London on the night the police raided it in 1987.
The star was in the dressing room ready to go on stage when a “rude and aggressive” police officer entered.
In a 2021 interview with the venuePaul additionally famous that the place was crowded with officers sporting gloves.
He stated, ‘And naturally I stated, ‘Oh nicely, come and do the dishes?’
Paul continued, “It was pandemonium. Folks had been scared. Tables and chairs handed. The police had been extraordinarily aggressive.
‘I went upstairs to Breda, the landlady, to inform her. Subsequent, there is a load of cops within the entrance room dragging her out, leaving the youngsters behind. God is aware of to today why they raided it… It wasn’t mandatory.’
Paul additionally stated: ‘Police have apologized all around the world for his or her habits years in the past, and I feel it is about time British police did the identical.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted the Met Police for remark.
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