John Leech the Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington has spoken of his disappointment that a Tory MP’s objection to the bill to pardon Alan Turing made during its second reading in the House of Commons has delayed its progress until the new year.
Alan Turing played a key role in cracking the German Enigma Code in WW2, an act which helped swing the advantage in Britain’s favour and bring an end to the war.
In 1952 Turing was convicted of “gross indecency” because of his homosexuality and chemically castrated by the state. He took his own life two years later.
John Leech has led the campaign for Alan Turing to be granted a posthumous pardon describing him as “a Manchester hero and a national hero.”
The Parliamentary Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Sharkey passed through the House of Lords in July this year. Manchester MP John Leech has been taking the Bill through its stages in the House of Commons.
John said: “I’m very disappointed that one solitary objection has delayed this Bill. The persecution by the state for being gay is a scandal that shouldn’t be allowed to stand and it is only right that we are pushing for this posthumous pardon. Alan Turing was a Manchester hero and a national hero. He helped shorten the war and was then persecuted by the state for his sexuality. He should be pardoned and this would be a fitting way of saluting his memory. I will continue to push for a posthumous pardon for Alan Turing because I believe it is morally right.”
The Bill will be heard again for its second reading on February 28 2014.
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