- Joined
- Nov 12, 2009
- Messages
- 1,295
- Reaction score
- 354
- Location
- Jordan
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Undisclosed
Correct. A pardon is just forgiving a crime, it doesn't mean they admit error. If they wanted to make a real statement, it would have been an apology to all whom were subjugated to such horrendous practice.
He received an apology in 2009
Gordon Brown: I'm proud to say sorry to a real war hero - TelegraphThousands 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. 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 in conviction. I am proud that those days are gone and that in the past 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.
...
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.
Apparently he was denied a pardon before
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 which 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.
Government rejects a pardon for computer genius Alan Turing | Science | theguardian.com