The organisers of Pride London have issued a statement about an incident during the celebrations in Trafalgar Square last Saturday.
After a trans woman was denied access to the public female toilets, an argument broke out and a steward was barged and pushed up against a wall.
"Official stewards who were running the toilets at Trafalgar Square announced that I, and any other transgender or transsexual woman, had to use the disabled toilets and was not allowed to use the regular women's toilets.
"I pointed out to the stewards that I transitioned and had surgery before they were born; I was more polite than a polite thing. No dice.
"Regrettably for all the organisations involved in the management of this event, an incident occurred which caused great offence to members of the trans community.
"The incident took place in the public toilets within Trafalgar Square where a trans woman was denied access to the female toilets.
"As a result a number of trans community members decided to stage a demonstration within the entry area to the toilets, an argument ensued, and the steward at the toilets was barged and pushed up against a wall, and inappropriate language was used.
"An off-duty police officer, a LGBT liaison officer, who was in the area at the time, intervened at this stage.
"One of the officer's primary concerns being that some of the trans community members, having previously participated in the parade, still had their placards with them and during the growing arguments, he felt that these could inadvertently cause injury through escalating tensions and heated exchanges.
"The officer took action to reduce those immediate tensions and ascertained facts from both the steward and the trans woman involved.
"The officer's actions included attaining an apology for the trans woman, an offer to act as her witness should she wish to take the matter further, and he also provided his name and details should she wish to contact him further.
"The officer then left believing that all actions he had taken were of satisfactory outcome.
"The Metropolitan police also reviewed the CCTV footage outside the public toilets.
"Neither party wished to make a formal complaint at the time against the other party.
"It is deeply regretted that trans community members were denied access to these facilities.
"It is the firm view of both organisations (the police and Pride London) that the trans woman involved should never have been denied access to the women's toilets, and members of the trans community should have been able to attend this event and feel supported by diverse communities who they are close to.
Pride organisers held a meeting on Wednesday with the Gay Police Association, trans community representatives and Steve Allen, the borough commander for the City of Westminster.
He said he was clear about what happened and who played what part.
"The motivation and actions of the police officer involved were positive and he has my full support," he said.
"We expect extraordinary things from our officers and I am pleased that although off duty, he regarded it as his duty to become involved where he saw a situation developing.
"The events of the day are being addressed by the various organisations involved.
"Clearly inappropriate decisions were made and inappropriate words said. Those specifics are being or have already been addressed.
"The issue at the heart of events over the last few days is much wider.
"That issue is about the nature and quality of relationships and engagement between police and transgender people.
"There is no doubt that we are at the early stages of the journey.
"The aim must be to get to a point where the relationship is sufficiently robust that it can survive the setbacks that will inevitably occur.
"The vision is getting to a position where policing services are delivered to victims, witnesses, suspects and every other member of our communities in a way that is fair, just, professional, compassionate and respectful of the particular needs of individuals.
The police estimate that more than 825,000 people participated in Pride London this year, making it the largest gay event ever staged in the UK.
"Last Saturday it was my privilege to take part in the Pride march at the head of the police officers and staff representing the Metropolitan Police Service.
"We were alongside colleagues from other emergency services, from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.
This story was updated on 16th Sept 2008.