Alan Turing: "We're sorry, you deserved so much better"
6:41 am Friday September 11th 2009
"A little bit stunned" was the phrase that computer scientist used as he told me about his 'phone call from Prime Minister Gordon Brown last night.
He had been called at around 8.30pm, and told that Mr Brown would like to speak to him - about his petition on the Downing Street website asking for an apology for Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician and code breaker whose work on the German Enigma codes is credited with shortening the second World War.
The prime minister told John that the way Alan Turing had been treated was "an injustice that ought to have been undone long ago".
Turing was injected with female hormones as punishment for a conviction for gross indecency in 1952 - when homosexuality was still illegal in the UK. He committed suicide two years later.
The official apology appeared at around 9.30pm.
"The debt of gratitude he is owed makes it all the more horrifying, therefore, that he was treated so inhumanely - in effect tried for being gay. "
describes Turing's work at the code breaking centre in Milton Keynes.
"It is no exaggeration to say that without his outstanding contribution, the history of WWII could well have been very different. He truly was one of those individuals we can point to whose unique contribution helped to turn the tide of war. "
The response is signed by Gordon Brown - and concludes: "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."
Alan Turing's three nieces were stunned as well, when I broke the news to them. The youngest, Shuna Hunt, said "that is incredible - gosh I feel I am in a dream".
Middle niece, Janet Robinson, said "That is really good news".
And the eldest, Inagh Payne, said that Alan's treatment had indeed been an injustice.
At last look there were approaching 30,000 signatories to the petition - all of whom will now get an email, apparently, with the Prime Ministers response. I think that for John Graham-Cumming, what he has achieved has yet to sink in. He will hope that as well as reaffirming the reputation of Alan Turing, this outcome will help to raise public awareness of the role of all of those whose work at Bletchley Park contributed not only to shortening WWII, but to the birth of computing too.
Comment number 1.
At 11th Sep 2009, barriesingleton wrote:WILL NO ONE RID OF THIS HEADLINE-GRABBING PEST?
The gauche Brown ineptitude, in the Blairile art of pathetic publicity, impinges on the punch-drunk populace once again.
Oh James Gordon - if you must play saviour, what about grovelling before the LIVING who have spent unjust years in jail? Or have a look at the pain of 'Father's for Justice' they can't all be making it up.
One thing I will grant you, James Gordon, YOU ARE TRANSPARENT - we all see through you. Please stop prancing off to pose with 'heroes', and all other stunts intended to improve your image - you can't - you are imageless.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 11th Sep 2009, leftieoddbod wrote:that confirms it ....Gordon Brown reads the NN blogs because some of US have been banging on about Alan for an age...RIP Alan Turing saved our asses and we crapped all over him
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 11th Sep 2009, bookhimdano wrote:how many other apologies for state stupidity?
oscar wilde?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 13th Sep 2009, Robin Rowlands wrote:The relationship a state has with its heroes is very intense and sometimes very touchy, it's very similar in a way to the relationship between the 91Èȱ¬ and the people it touches. For some it is a projection of our voice our very existence into the either for others it is the distant voice of reason in a world that is all to often in disarray.
James Murdock seems a very intelligent and articulate and charming young man and managing all those newspapers and TV channels he almost seems a Greek God but there is that american accent and there is the rub surely Greek Gods should have a 91Èȱ¬ accent.
A Greek God with an American accent just isnt right - something is wrong something is lost we need our voice in the world Radio TV and Internet a world in which all the wolves howl with the same voice is a nightmare.
James James Run Run Run NOW - before the Conservative Party pay the price.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 2nd Nov 2009, Jeremy Travis wrote:It's a shame Gordon brown's response was computer generated.
How else would you show the contempt but to spell Alan Turing with a small t
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)