THE parents of the gay policeman beaten by a gang in the city centre have pleaded for witnesses to come forward.

Trainee PC James Parkes was attacked by up to 20 youths in Stanley Street at around 10pm on Sunday as he left gay bar, Superstar Boudoir, with three friends.

He is in a stable condition in hospital but doctors have said the next 24 hours are crucial.

James’s parents, Ann and Ron Parkes, said: "We want to thank the investigation team for all the work they are doing to catch the people involved in this vicious attack.

“We are really grateful for all the support that James has received since the attack, particularly from the gay community and the police.

"James has worked hard to serve the Merseyside community over the last two years as a Police Community Support Officer and is very excited to be at the start of his career as a police officer.

"We can't believe the ignorance of the young people who carried out the attack on someone who was just on a night out with friends and had done nothing wrong.

“We are really keen that the young people involved in the attack are caught and brought to justice and would ask anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact the police. "

Riverside MP Louise Ellman is asking for an urgent meeting with Merseyside Police and then plans to take the issue to Home Secretary Alan Johnson.