UK government apologises to Alan Turing

For shabby treatment after WWII - about fracking time.

An online petition has led to an official apology over the treatment of wartime hero Alan Turing from Gordon Brown.

Turing performed vital work in the Bletchley code-breaking centre during the Second World War, work which shortened the war and saved countless lives. However he was prosecuted for homosexuality in 1952, barred from government work and committed suicide shortly afterwards.

Now, over 50 years later, the UK government has formally apologised for the treatment of the mathematician, who is regarded by many as one of the founding fathers of computing.

"I am both pleased and proud that, thanks to a coalition of computer scientists, historians and LGBT activists, we have this year a chance to mark and celebrate another contribution to Britain's fight against the darkness of dictatorship; that of code-breaker Alan Turing," said Gordon Brown in a statement.

"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."

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16 Comments

GhostFaceKilla Sep 14, 2009 10:16 AM	"his treatment was of course utterly unfair". understatement? It is a credit to Turing that everytime I come across a refernece to him in anothers work (for example I am reading R.V Jones - Most Secret War - at page 63 there is a reference to Turing) homage is paid to his mathematical ability and professionalism. Jones mentions at p.63 how much Turing has done for computing. Would things have been differt in computing if Turing did not pass away in 1952? Imposisble to say.
philo-sofa Sep 14, 2009 10:57 AM	Mm. The poor guy actually turned himself in on numerous occasions for being a homosexual before topping himself - more than being a reflection on the UK government, it really is an indictment on society at the time, and by extension on societies that condemn what are essentially natural and harmless sexual urges, and make criminals of moral and upstanding human beings. gets off soapbox
Mademan Sep 14, 2009 10:57 AM	lol Agreed, it's a mild understatement, he was offered either prison or chemical castration.
Hawkeye Sep 14, 2009 11:00 AM	Yeah, helluva 'choice' right there.
Jeruselem Sep 14, 2009 11:17 AM	Better late than never ...
Athiril Sep 14, 2009 3:57 PM	Id hardly say natural, but harmless and unfair yes.
philo-sofa Sep 14, 2009 6:13 PM	^^ TBH I think it's fair to classify it as natural given that the majority of social animals regularly engage in gay relationships, primarily for dominance and social cohesion. But hey, if we agree it's unfair, it doesn't really matter.
Lorddalvidiii Sep 14, 2009 7:34 PM	wait... an online petition worked?
MagnumXY Sep 14, 2009 8:28 PM	whoa lets not start a war here Athiril
Athiril Sep 15, 2009 12:27 AM	Well I dont see that as homosexuality, if you want to nitpick you can call that bisexuality, but then you have to ask is that sexual behaviour? ie: it does not seem to be sexually motivated, it is more complex then that. In any case, they still pass their genes on or attempt to (for the majority), and homosexual behaviour in human society is quite different to that of "primarily for dominance and social cohesion".
@~thehung Sep 15, 2009 6:07 AM	Ever hear about the constipated mathematician? Alan Turing helped him work it out. actually, he was a great man. i cant help thinking this apology has arrived a tad late.
Hawkeye Sep 15, 2009 9:41 AM	It is a tad late, but it's very important in modern terms. I and a lot of my queer friends find it very vindicating. And I'm going to say that it is entirely natural. You are born, you grow up, your nature attracts you to other men. And it's not as if we need to breed, right?
0mega Sep 15, 2009 5:19 PM	For any Doctor Who fans (thats everyone, right?) have you read 'The Turing Test' a BBC eighth Doctor story? Highly recommend it.
MagnumXY Sep 15, 2009 6:01 PM	@athril prove it is passed on thru genes.
@~thehung Sep 15, 2009 7:18 PM	maybe they should bump his OBE up to a full knighthood while theyre at it.
Mademan Sep 16, 2009 9:41 AM	"homosexual behaviour in human society is quite different to that of "primarily for dominance and social cohesion" obviously not a bondage fan.

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