Pride 2016: British Army marks LGBT event by lighting up Sandhurst academy with rainbow colours

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who attended the Pride March in London, says it is 'more important than ever' to be accepting of LGBT people.

One million were expected at the Pride march in London (Twitter/British Army)

The army has lit up its Sandhurst military academy with the colours of the rainbow to celebrate the Pride 2016 as thousands of LGBT took to the streets.

Gay recruits have only been able to serve openly in the Armed forced since 2000.

The Army’s diversity and inclusivity champion, Lieutenant General Sir James Everard, said: "The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst is perhaps our greatest icon of strong leadership.

"This week we have floodlit Old College in the LGBT rainbow colours to show how closely we see the links between the Army, the LGBT community and the Nation we serve."

And Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt said: "The participation of so many of our personnel this weekend demonstrates the diversity we encourage in the Armed Forces and the support that we provide to all of our staff."

The rainbow flag was also flying at the Westminster parliament in order to mark the event, which has seen thousands take to the streets in London and Brighton to raise awareness about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

A parade through London’s West End started in Regent Street and walked past Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross stations to songs including the YMCA by the Village People, It's Raining Men and tunes from a brass band.

A heightened police presence was visible at the march, which is now in its 43rd year.

A minute's silence was held to mark those killed during the mass shooting at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando on 12 June.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who attended the march, said it was "more important than ever" to be accepting of LGBT people.

Two male police officers took the opportunity to propose to their partners, which was then shared by the Metropolitan Police's LGBT Network on Twitter.

During the parade Jeremy Corbyn was heckled by protesters about the result of the EU referendum.

“Resign, it’s your fault. I had a Polish friend in tears because you couldn’t get out the vote in Wales, the North and the Midlands," one protester told him.

“Stop using the gay movement as a shield to protect your weak leadership.”

Justine Greening, International Development Secretary also announced that she was in a lesbian relationship.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said that Ms Greening’s announcement was the best news he had in 48 hours since – in a pointed reference to the EU referendum.