Leaders of London’s pride event will be hoping news of Joell-Deshield’s dismissal could help steady what has been a rocky few months for them.
The investigation into him also led to a legal battle in the High Court, which is due to conclude in the coming weeks.
In September 2025, a High Court judge ordered Joell-Deshield to relinquish control of Pride in London property, including bank accounts, internal systems and equipment.
In January 2026, he appeared back in court accused of two charges of contempt for failing to comply with the order, which lawyers for Pride in London argued was an attempt to “frustrate” the independent investigation into his conduct.
Representatives for Joell-Deshields told the court he had not returned a company laptop as it was bought for him by the company after his personal device was damaged in his line of work.
He admitted the second count of contempt for failing to provide a signed statement confirming he had returned all company property.
Last week, lawyers for Pride in London returned to court alleging that company property had still not been returned after seven months, and that Joell-Deshields had failed to file a defence in the case.
Deputy High Court Judge Matthew Butt KC made an order that means the court will find in Pride in London’s favour if Joell-Deshields does not file a defence in the next two weeks.
During proceedings in September, representatives for Joell-Deshields said his agreement to comply with any court order regarding the return of company property was not an admission of guilt.
The BBC understands that directors at Pride in London eventually regained access to the internal systems and accounts by asking a former volunteer in the IT department whose login had not been properly deactivated to restore their accounts.
BBC News has approached Joell-Deshields for comment.