The government’s flagship LGBTQ+ conference has been cancelled after falling into disarray, with more organisations pulling out and a key government adviser quitting after accusing ministers of waging a “woke war”. Iain Anderson, the government’s LGBTQ+ business adviser, said he was “completely shocked” by the decision last week not to press ahead with outlawing practices aimed at those questioning their gender identity. He suggested Downing Street appeared to be “trying to drive a wedge” between those who are gay or bisexual and those who are transgender. Anderson said the Safe to Be Me conference, which was due to be hosted in June, should not take place, admitting: “Trust has been eroded.” He added that he had taken the advisory job “on the basis there’d be a policy for everyone in the LGBT community, but apparently that’s not going to happen”.