World Pride 2012 responded to media criticism alleging bad organisation and the imminent cancellation of the event, saying rumours were "misrepresented".
A statement from organisers said: "There are a number of factual inaccuracies published in articles criticising World Pride. The first and most important lies in the supposed level of debt. Pride London does not owe £65K from last year’s event and the organisers are extremely concerned as to the source of this information."
The Evening Standard reported on Tuesday (26 June) that the event was allegedly under threat after four contractors were not paid for work they did last year and could pull out of this year’s celebrations.
Organisers confirmed that the free festival and parade through central London will be taking place as planned on 7 July.
"Westminster licensing for the march, plus the space in Trafalgar Square has already been paid for, the festival is underway and is receiving fabulous response."
Organisers stressed that putting on an event such as World Pride "never comes without its financial and logistical difficulties", and that financial and non-monetary support from the community is "more crucial than ever before".
Worldpride takes place at least once every five years in a different city worldwide. The last one was held in Jerusalem in 2006 and the next one will be in Toronto in 2014.
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