Paul O’Grady: Campaigner recounts Lily Savage’s hilarious response to anti-LGBT+ police raid

Campaigner Peter Tatchell recalled how Paul O’Grady reacted to an anti-LGBT+ police raid in the 1980s as he paid tribute to his friend.

He described the TV icon as a “wonderful person” who was “kind and compassionate”.

“Paul was there, about to go on stage, and he told the tale that he was in his dressing room when these policemen burst in. His first instinct is that they were strippers and part of the show,” Mr Tatchell began, recalling the moment police raided the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in 1987 wearing rubber gloves.

“So he shouted out to the coppers: ‘Oh good you’re here, you can help with the washing up.’”

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