Homosexuals and transsexuals have been given special encouragement to apply for a job with the police squad responsible for guarding the Queen.
The opening in the Royalty Protection Branch was advertised internally by the Metropolitan Police, which says the squad does not have enough lesbian, gay, bisexual or transsexual officers.
But critics say the move is politically correct “window dressing” and argue that the vacancy should be filled by whoever is best for the job.
The ad reads: “Applications are particularly welcomed from women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and black and minority ethnic communities/people as these are under represented.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “In units where particular groups are under represented, applicants are particularly encouraged from minority communities.”
But a former police Commander said: “From a political correctness point of view, it’s just window dressing.”
Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire, added: “I don’t know whether the Royal Family are going to feel that much safer knowing there’s a transgender outside protecting them.
“This is absolutely ludicrous. What’s wrong with just employing the best for the job?
“I wonder what’s the cost to the Metropolitan Police for all this equality and diversity nonsense?
“The money would be better spent putting more bobbies back on the beat.”
Earlier this year Strathclyde Police rented space in Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art to host a recruitment drive aimed at homosexuals.
The gallery had previously housed an exhibition encouraging visitors to deface the Bible.
In February Kent police invited schoolchildren aged 13 and 14 to write an essay on their feelings about homosexuality.
And in the same month the Union Jack flag was controversially replaced by a rainbow gay campaign flag outside Limehouse police station in East London.
However, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stevenson ordered the flag to be taken down. According to reports he did not want the police in London to “stray into political territory.”