Treatment of Alan Turing was “horrifying” - Gordon Brown
September 11th, 2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has officially apologised for the British government’s treatment of World War II mathematician Alan Turing, following pressure from an online petition.
Over 31,000 people signed the petition demanding a posthumous apology for Turing, who was chemically castrated and prosecuted by the government of the time because he was gay.
In a statement published on Number10.gov.uk Gordon Brown has formerly recognised Turing’s contribution to the Allies fight against the Nazis in World War II, and apologized for the “appalling” way Turing and other gay people were treated.
“While Turing was dealt with under the law of the time and we can’t put the clock back, his treatment was of course utterly unfair and I am pleased to have the chance to say how deeply sorry I and we all are for what happened to him,” said Gordon Brown in the statement.
“Alan and the many thousands of other gay men who were convicted as he was convicted under homophobic laws were treated terribly. Over the years millions more lived in fear of conviction.
“I am proud that those days are gone and that in the last 12 years this government has done so much to make life fairer and more equal for our LGBT community. This recognition of Alan’s status as one of Britain’s most famous victims of homophobia is another step towards equality and long overdue.”
Brown added “It is thanks to men and women who were totally committed to fighting fascism, people like Alan Turing, that the horrors of the Holocaust and of total war are part of Europe’s history and not Europe’s present.
“So on behalf of the British government, and all those who live freely thanks to Alan’s work I am very proud to say: we’re sorry, you deserved so much better.”
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