Posthumous pardons for gay men over now-abolished sexual offences
New legislation follows a posthumous pardon for Enigma code-breaker Alan Turing after he was convicted of gross indecency in 1952.
Tuesday 31 January 2017 16:46, UK
Thousands of gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences have been posthumously pardoned.
The new legislation, known as "Turing's law", has been a commitment of the Government after the case of World War II code-breaker Alan Turing.
Mr Turing was given a posthumous royal pardon in 2013 over a conviction in 1952 for gross indecency. He was chemically castrated and died in an apparent suicide two years later.
Justice Minister Sam Gyimah confirmed the announcement on Tuesday, calling it a "truly momentous day."
Mr Gyimah said: "We can never undo the hurt caused, but we have apologised and taken action to right these wrongs.
"I am immensely proud that Turing's Law has become a reality under this Government."
The pardons were first announced last year, and have now been officially rubber-stamped after the Policing and Crime Bill received Royal Assent.
It enshrines in law pardons for those convicted of consensual same-sex relationships before laws were changed.
Charities have reacted positively to the announcement, with Stonewall saying "another important milestone of equality has been secured in law".
A spokesperson added: "Gay and bi men, cautioned or convicted for kissing, holding hands or just chatting up men, can now have these 'crimes' deleted from their record.
"This not just equality for gay and bi men; the passing of this law is justice."
The new law will also see statutory pardons granted to the living, but only in cases where offenders have successfully applied through the Home Office's disregard process to have historical offences removed.