Editing Alan Turing (section)

==Government apology and pardon==
{{main|Alan Turing law}}

In August 2009, British programmer [[John Graham-Cumming]] started a petition urging the British government to apologise for Turing's prosecution as a homosexual.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Thousands call for Turing apology |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8226509.stm |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2009 |access-date=31 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831100747/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8226509.stm |archive-date=31 August 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Petition seeks apology for Enigma code-breaker Turing |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/01/alan.turing.petition/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=1 September 2009 |access-date=1 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005081407/http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/01/alan.turing.petition/index.html |archive-date=5 October 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The petition received more than 30,000 signatures.<ref name="PMapology"/><ref>The petition was only open to UK citizens.</ref> The prime minister, [[Gordon Brown]], acknowledged the petition, releasing a statement on 10 September 2009 apologising and describing the treatment of Turing as "appalling":<ref name="PMapology">{{cite news | title = PM's apology to codebreaker Alan Turing: we were inhumane | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/11/pm-apology-to-alan-turing | work = The Guardian | location = UK | date = 11 September 2009 | first = Caroline | last = Davies | access-date = 10 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170204085908/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/11/pm-apology-to-alan-turing | archive-date = 4 February 2017 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="PM-apology">{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8249792.stm | title = PM apology after Turing petition | date = 11 September 2009 | work = BBC News | access-date = 11 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120531004935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8249792.stm | archive-date = 31 May 2012 | url-status = live }}</ref>

{{blockquote|Thousands of people have come together to demand justice for Alan Turing and recognition of the appalling way he was 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&nbsp;... 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.<ref name="PMapology"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~ian/TuringApology.html |title=Full text of the Prime Minister's apology |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109124247/http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~ian/TuringApology.html |archive-date=9 November 2012 }}</ref>}}

In December 2011, William Jones and his member of Parliament, [[John Leech (politician)|John Leech]], created an [[e-petition]]<ref name="PardonPetition">{{cite web | title = Grant a pardon to Alan Turing | url = https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23526 | date = 6 December 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120110183548/http://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23526 | archive-date = 10 January 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> requesting that the British government [[pardon]] Turing for his conviction of "gross indecency":<ref name="BBBCPardon">{{cite news | title = Petition to pardon computer pioneer Alan Turing started | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16061279 | date = 6 December 2011 | work = BBC News | access-date = 21 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180619135127/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16061279 | archive-date = 19 June 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref>

{{blockquote|We ask the HM Government to grant a pardon to Alan Turing for the conviction of "gross indecency". In 1952, he was convicted of "gross indecency" with another man and was forced to undergo so-called "organo-therapy"—chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save. This remains a shame on the British government and British history. A pardon can go some way to healing this damage. It may act as an apology to many of the other gay men, not as well-known as Alan Turing, who were subjected to these laws.<ref name="PardonPetition" />}}

The petition gathered over 37,000 signatures,<ref name=PardonPetition /><ref name=turingindependent24dec2013>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alan-turing-gets-his-royal-pardon-for-gross-indecency--61-years-after-he-poisoned-himself-9023116.html |title=Alan Turing gets his royal pardon for 'gross indecency'&nbsp;– 61 years after he poisoned himself |work=The Independent |date=23 December 2013 |author=Wright, Oliver |location=London |access-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224035745/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/alan-turing-gets-his-royal-pardon-for-gross-indecency--61-years-after-he-poisoned-himself-9023116.html |archive-date=24 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and was submitted to Parliament by the Manchester MP John Leech but the request was discouraged by Justice Minister [[Tom McNally, Baron McNally#Political career|Lord McNally]], who said:<ref name="PardonPetitionDiscouraged">{{cite web |title=Government rejects a pardon for computer genius Alan Turing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/07/alan-turing-pardon-lord-mcnally-lord-sharkey-computers |date=7 February 2012 |last=Wainwright |first=Martin |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204091026/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/07/alan-turing-pardon-lord-mcnally-lord-sharkey-computers |archive-date=4 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{blockquote|A posthumous pardon was not considered appropriate as Alan Turing was properly convicted of what at the time was a criminal offence. He would have known that his offence was against the law and that he would be prosecuted. It is tragic that Alan Turing was convicted of an offence that now seems both cruel and absurd—particularly poignant given his outstanding contribution to the war effort. However, the law at the time required a prosecution and, as such, long-standing policy has been to accept that such convictions took place and, rather than trying to alter the historical context and to put right what cannot be put right, ensure instead that we never again return to those times.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201212/ldhansrd/text/120202w0001.htm |title=hansard |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706132556/https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201212/ldhansrd/text/120202w0001.htm |archive-date=6 July 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

John Leech, the MP for [[Manchester Withington (UK Parliament constituency)|Manchester Withington]] (2005–15), submitted several bills to Parliament<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/12/24/better-late-than-never-alan-turing-is-finally-pardoned|title=Better late than never, Alan Turing is finally pardoned|first=Alex|last=Stevenson|date=24 December 2013|publisher=politics.co.uk|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816015157/http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/12/24/better-late-than-never-alan-turing-is-finally-pardoned|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and led a high-profile campaign to secure the pardon. Leech made the case in the House of Commons that Turing's contribution to the war made him a national hero and that it was "ultimately just embarrassing" that the conviction still stood.<ref name="Fitzgerald">{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/alan-turings-court-convictions-go-11931942|title=Alan Turing's court convictions go on display for the first time|first=Todd|last=Fitzgerald|date=24 September 2016|publisher=manchestereveningnews.co.uk|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925151625/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/alan-turings-court-convictions-go-11931942|archive-date=25 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Leech continued to take the bill through Parliament and campaigned for several years, gaining the public support of numerous leading scientists, including [[Stephen Hawking]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-codebreaker-alan-turing-pardoned-6442836|title=Alan Turing pardoned by The Queen for his 'unjust and discriminatory' conviction for homosexuality|last=Britton|first=Paul|work=Manchester Evening News|date=24 December 2013|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624204418/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-codebreaker-alan-turing-pardoned-6442836|archive-date=24 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16833621|title=MP calls for pardon for computer pioneer Alan Turing|date=1 February 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702135251/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-16833621|archive-date=2 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> At the British premiere of a film based on Turing's life, ''[[The Imitation Game]]'', the producers thanked Leech for bringing the topic to public attention and securing Turing's pardon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.libdemvoice.org/my-proudest-day-as-a-liberal-democrat-43430.html|title=My proudest day as a Liberal Democrat|work=Liberal Democrat Voice|access-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624204354/https://www.libdemvoice.org/my-proudest-day-as-a-liberal-democrat-43430.html|archive-date=24 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Leech is now regularly described as the "architect" of Turing's pardon and subsequently the Alan Turing Law which went on to secure pardons for 75,000 other men and women convicted of similar crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-computer-pioneer-alan-turing-16585966 |title=Manchester computer pioneer Alan Turing announced as face of new £50 note |date=15 July 2019 |access-date=19 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719082039/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-computer-pioneer-alan-turing-16585966 |archive-date=19 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://outnewsglobal.com/john-leech-secures-historic-deal-with-government-on-alan-turing-law/|title=John Leech secures historic deal with Government on 'Alan Turing Law'|date=20 October 2016|website=outnewsglobal.com|access-date=26 August 2024|archive-date=29 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129031439/http://outnewsglobal.com/john-leech-secures-historic-deal-with-government-on-alan-turing-law/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 July 2019 |editor1-last=Elliott |editor1-first=Larry |title=Alan Turing to feature on new £50 banknote |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/15/alan-turing-to-feature-on-new-50-note |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129025950/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/15/alan-turing-to-feature-on-new-50-note |archive-date=29 January 2022 |access-date=26 August 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |editor2-first=Josh |editor2-last=Halliday}}</ref>

On 26 July 2012, a bill was introduced in the [[British House of Lords|House of Lords]] to grant a statutory pardon to Turing for offences under section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, of which he was convicted on 31 March 1952.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/alanturingstatutorypardon.html |title=Bill |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |date=26 July 2012 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102040318/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/alanturingstatutorypardon.html |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Late in the year in a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', the physicist Stephen Hawking and 10 other signatories including the [[Astronomer Royal]] [[Martin Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow|Lord Rees]], [[List of presidents of the Royal Society|President of the Royal Society]] Sir [[Paul Nurse]], [[Jean Barker, Baroness Trumpington|Lady Trumpington]] (who worked for Turing during the war) and [[John Sharkey, Baron Sharkey|Lord Sharkey]] (the bill's sponsor) called on Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] to act on the pardon request.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pearse |first=Damian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/dec/14/alan-turing-pardon-stephen-hawking |title=Alan Turing should be pardoned, argue Stephen Hawking and top scientists |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204090812/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/dec/14/alan-turing-pardon-stephen-hawking |archive-date=4 February 2017 |work=The Guardian |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The government indicated it would support the bill,<ref name=turingguardian19july2013>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/jul/19/enigma-codebreaker-alan-turing-posthumous-pardon|title=Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing to be given posthumous pardon|work=The Guardian|date=19 July 2013|author=Watt, Nicholas|location=London|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104124001/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/jul/19/enigma-codebreaker-alan-turing-posthumous-pardon|archive-date=4 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2302744/alan-turing-pardon-moves-a-step-closer|title=Alan Turing pardon sails through House of Lords|last=Worth|first=Dan|date=30 October 2013|publisher=V3|access-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114746/http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2302744/alan-turing-pardon-moves-a-step-closer|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Alan Turing (Statutory Pardon) Bill | url =http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/alanturingstatutorypardon.html | access-date =20 July 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130705084023/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/alanturingstatutorypardon.html | archive-date =5 July 2013 | url-status =live }}</ref> and it passed its third reading in the House of Lords in October.<ref name=turingpinknewsdec2013>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/02/lib-dem-mp-john-leech-disappointed-at-delay-to-alan-turing-pardon-bill|title=Lib Dem MP John Leech disappointed at delay to Alan Turing pardon bill|newspaper=Pink News|date=2 December 2013|author=Roberts, Scott|access-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225050250/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/02/lib-dem-mp-john-leech-disappointed-at-delay-to-alan-turing-pardon-bill|archive-date=25 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the bill's second reading in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 29 November 2013, Conservative MP [[Christopher Chope]] objected to the bill, delaying its passage. The bill was due to return to the House of Commons on 28 February 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/02/lib-dem-mp-john-leech-disappointed-at-delay-to-alan-turing-pardon-bill/|title=Lib Dem MP John Leech disappointed at delay to Alan Turing pardon bill|last=Roberts|first=Scott|date=2 December 2013|work=PinkNews|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612210914/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/02/lib-dem-mp-john-leech-disappointed-at-delay-to-alan-turing-pardon-bill/|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but before the bill could be debated in the House of Commons,<ref>{{cite web | title =Alan Turing (Statutory Pardon) Bill | url =http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/alanturingstatutorypardon.html | access-date =24 December 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20131102040315/http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/alanturingstatutorypardon.html | archive-date =2 November 2013 | url-status =live }}</ref> the government elected to proceed under the [[royal prerogative of mercy]]. On 24 December 2013, [[Queen Elizabeth II]] signed a [[Royal prerogative of mercy|pardon]] for Turing's conviction for "gross indecency", with immediate effect.<ref name=turingpardon24dec2013>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10536246/Alan-Turing-granted-Royal-pardon-by-the-Queen.html |title=Alan Turing granted Royal pardon by the Queen |last=Swinford |first=Steven |date=23 December 2013 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502103553/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10536246/Alan-Turing-granted-Royal-pardon-by-the-Queen.html |archive-date=2 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Announcing the pardon, Lord Chancellor [[Chris Grayling]] said Turing deserved to be "remembered and recognised for his fantastic contribution to the war effort" and not for his later criminal conviction.<ref name=turingindependent24dec2013 /><ref name="BBC-pardon24Dec">{{cite news|title=Royal pardon for codebreaker Alan Turing|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25495315|access-date=24 December 2013|work=BBC News|date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224002121/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25495315|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The Queen pronounced Turing pardoned in August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/world/2014/08/22/queens-decree-alan-turing-now-officially-pardoned|title=With Queen's Decree, Alan Turing Is Now Officially Pardoned|date=22 August 2014|publisher=Advocate.com|access-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101212528/http://www.advocate.com/world/2014/08/22/queens-decree-alan-turing-now-officially-pardoned|archive-date=1 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> It was only the fourth royal pardon granted since the conclusion of the Second World War.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Pardoned: Alan Turing, Computing patriarch |magazine=Time Magazine |volume=183 |number=1 |date=13 January 2014 |page=14}}</ref> Pardons are normally granted only when the person is technically innocent, and a request has been made by the family or other interested party; neither condition was met in regard to Turing's conviction.<ref name = grauniad>{{Cite news | last =Davies | first =Caroline | title = Codebreaker Turing is given posthumous royal pardon | newspaper =The Guardian | location =London | pages =1, 6 | date =24 December 2013 }}</ref>

In September 2016, the government announced its intention to expand this retroactive exoneration to other men convicted of similar historical indecency offences, in what was described as an "[[Alan Turing law]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37436417|title=Government 'committed' to Alan Turing gay pardon law|date=22 September 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922041224/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37436417|archive-date=22 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-committed-to-introducing-alan-turing-law-and-pardon-gay-men-convicted-of-outdated-crimes-a7320851.html|title=Theresa May committed to introducing the 'Alan Turing Law'|last=Cowburn|first=Ashley|date=21 September 2016|website=The Independent|access-date=22 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922133219/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-committed-to-introducing-alan-turing-law-and-pardon-gay-men-convicted-of-outdated-crimes-a7320851.html|archive-date=22 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The Alan Turing law is now an informal term for the law in the United Kingdom, contained in the [[Policing and Crime Act 2017]], which serves as an [[amnesty law]] to retroactively pardon men who were cautioned or convicted under historical legislation that outlawed homosexual acts. The law applies in England and Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/182/data.htm|title=Policing and Crime Act 2017|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=6 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305145933/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/182/data.htm|archive-date=5 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 19 July 2023, [[Sexual orientation and the military of the United Kingdom#Official apology to veterans|following an apology to LGBT veterans from the UK Government]], [[Secretary of State for Defence|Defence Secretary]] [[Ben Wallace (politician)|Ben Wallace]] suggested Turing should be honoured with a permanent statue on the [[Fourth plinth#Proposals for permanent statues|fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square]], describing Turing as "probably the greatest war hero, in my book, of the Second World War, [whose] achievements shortened the war, saved thousands of lives, helped defeat the Nazis. And his story is a sad story of a society and how it treated him."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veterans Update |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-07-19/debates/56A50AFF-35D8-408F-A393-DDB38951E64F/VeteransUpdate?#contribution-43233FDB-224B-4D71-B796-BB90C501DB16 |website=Hansard – UK Parliament |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724123630/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2023-07-19/debates/56A50AFF-35D8-408F-A393-DDB38951E64F/VeteransUpdate#contribution-43233FDB-224B-4D71-B796-BB90C501DB16 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Alan Turing statue should be put on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth, says Ben Wallace |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/07/19/alan-turing-trafalgar-square-fourth-plinth-ben-wallace/ |website=The Telegraph |date=19 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023 |last1=Sheridan |first1=Danielle |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724123628/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/07/19/alan-turing-trafalgar-square-fourth-plinth-ben-wallace/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=LGBTQ+ military charity backs proposal for Alan Turing statue on fourth plinth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/jul/24/lgbtq-military-charity-backs-proposal-alan-turing-statue-fourth-plinth-trafalgar-square |website=The Guardian |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023 |last1=Khomami |first1=Nadia |last2=Arts |first2=Nadia Khomami }}</ref>