Online petition earns official apology for Turing

Turing's work at Bletchley Park led to the breaking of the Enigma code

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

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

Now, more than 50 years later, prime minister Gordon Brown has formally apologised for the treatment of the mathematician, who is regarded by many as one of the founding fathers of computing.

"I am pleased and proud that, thanks to a coalition of computer scientists, historians and LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] 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 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."