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'Turing Bill' fails to progress in Parliament 'Turing Bill' fails to progress in Parliament
(35 minutes later)
A bill that would have wiped clean the criminal records of thousands of gay men has fallen at its first Parliamentary hurdle.A bill that would have wiped clean the criminal records of thousands of gay men has fallen at its first Parliamentary hurdle.
The private member's bill would have pardoned all men living with UK convictions for same-sex offences committed before the law was changed.The private member's bill would have pardoned all men living with UK convictions for same-sex offences committed before the law was changed.
There were emotional scenes with one MP fighting back tears during his speech.There were emotional scenes with one MP fighting back tears during his speech.
The government, which has its own plans for posthumous pardons, "talked out" the bill, which will not now go ahead.The government, which has its own plans for posthumous pardons, "talked out" the bill, which will not now go ahead.
Minister Sam Gyimah spoke for 25 minutes, reaching the time limit allotted for the debate.Minister Sam Gyimah spoke for 25 minutes, reaching the time limit allotted for the debate.
There were shouts of "shame" and "shameful" from angry MPs as the seconds ticked down and proceedings came to an end.
The government's rival measure, an amendment to the Policing and Crimes Bill announced on Thursday, would grant pardons for those convicted who have since died. Ministers say those who are still alive can go through a "disregard process" to clear their names.The government's rival measure, an amendment to the Policing and Crimes Bill announced on Thursday, would grant pardons for those convicted who have since died. Ministers say those who are still alive can go through a "disregard process" to clear their names.
The government said it would not support SNP MP John Nicolson's Sexual Offences (Pardons) bill - which proposes a blanket pardon for the living - because it could potentially lead to some people being cleared of offences that are still crimes.The government said it would not support SNP MP John Nicolson's Sexual Offences (Pardons) bill - which proposes a blanket pardon for the living - because it could potentially lead to some people being cleared of offences that are still crimes.
But, speaking to the BBC's Daily Politics, Mr Nicolson said that his priority was to set aside the criminal convictions of men who were still living with them.But, speaking to the BBC's Daily Politics, Mr Nicolson said that his priority was to set aside the criminal convictions of men who were still living with them.
He said: "It's great to forgive all the people who are now dead, but it's kind of sentimental. I'm more interested in forgiving the people who are still alive, and have lived with this for decades."He said: "It's great to forgive all the people who are now dead, but it's kind of sentimental. I'm more interested in forgiving the people who are still alive, and have lived with this for decades."
His bill would have "set aside" nearly 50,000 convictions, about 15,000 of which applied to men who are still alive today.His bill would have "set aside" nearly 50,000 convictions, about 15,000 of which applied to men who are still alive today.
Mr Nicolson, says he was motivated by his work as a BBC journalist in the 1990s: "I made a documentary in the 1990s looking at the discriminatory laws which criminalised gay men," he said.Mr Nicolson, says he was motivated by his work as a BBC journalist in the 1990s: "I made a documentary in the 1990s looking at the discriminatory laws which criminalised gay men," he said.
"There were some shocking injustices. Men were arrested aged 21 for having 'underage sex' with their 20-year-old boyfriends.""There were some shocking injustices. Men were arrested aged 21 for having 'underage sex' with their 20-year-old boyfriends."
How would the Turing Bill work?How would the Turing Bill work?
The bill is only intended to set aside convictions made under:The bill is only intended to set aside convictions made under:
And it would only do so under the conditions that:And it would only do so under the conditions that:
The debate saw MPs from both government and opposition parties speaking in favour of moving the bill through parliament.The debate saw MPs from both government and opposition parties speaking in favour of moving the bill through parliament.
Labour Rhondda MP Chris Bryant made an emotional speech in favour of the bill, recalling gay and bisexual MPs who demanded the right to fight in World War Two, insisting they and others should receive "something that feels like an apology."Labour Rhondda MP Chris Bryant made an emotional speech in favour of the bill, recalling gay and bisexual MPs who demanded the right to fight in World War Two, insisting they and others should receive "something that feels like an apology."
A 2015 petition calling for pardons for the estimated 49,000 men affected by convictions for consensual gay sex was signed by over half a million people, including the actor Benedict Cumberbatch who played Turing in the 2014 film The Imitation Game.A 2015 petition calling for pardons for the estimated 49,000 men affected by convictions for consensual gay sex was signed by over half a million people, including the actor Benedict Cumberbatch who played Turing in the 2014 film The Imitation Game.
Another signatory was Turing's great niece Rachel Barnes. Speaking to BBC News in 2015, Ms Barnes said: "We've always considered that it is totally unjust that only Alan was given a pardon.Another signatory was Turing's great niece Rachel Barnes. Speaking to BBC News in 2015, Ms Barnes said: "We've always considered that it is totally unjust that only Alan was given a pardon.
"There were 50,000 other homosexuals who were convicted and not given a pardon. We would really like this to be put right now.""There were 50,000 other homosexuals who were convicted and not given a pardon. We would really like this to be put right now."