Burnham authorities hits out at Trump’s plan to stream firing squad public execution
The United States’ plans to livestream a firing squad public execution has been slammed by a UK government minister who has stated she personally feels ‘disturbed’ by the idea
A UK government minister has shared their thoughts on the United States plans to livestream a firing squad execution
A government minister has stated she finds the USA’s decision to livestream the execution of a terrorist by firing squad “disturbing”.
The Labour party headed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham has a longstanding opposition to the death penalty. The development comes after the Pentagon announced that Nidal Malik Hasan’s firing squad execution will occur at Fort Hood on December 3, with Pete Hegseth stating it will be “public”.
Minister for Women and Equalities and the Chair of the Labour Party Bridget Phillipson has shared her thoughts on the decision to publicly execute the man.
Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Phillipson(Image: Sky News)
Despite stating the publicly available execution is “a matter for the US government” she added personally feels “disturbed” at the move.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme she stated: “It is not something that the British Government would routinely have a position on.
“’The view of the Government is always that we are opposed to the death penalty.
“’My personal view is that I am opposed to the death penalty and I find that rather disturbing, is my honest reaction. I think you can have a system that provides clear consequences without… I am proud our country did away with the death penalty a very very long time ago.”
Phillipson was asked if Andy Burnham should raise the issue with the United States after sharing her personal thoughts.
Nidal Malik Hasan pictured in 2000(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The cabinet member stated: “As I say it is a matter for the US government, they are a close ally. Does that mean that we support everything the US government does, no it doesn’t.
“But that is not for us to involve ourselves in what are ultimately questions of US domestic policy.
“But I am a longstanding opponent of the death penalty… Governments of all political persuasions actually have had a longstanding commitment to not wanting to see the death penalty across the world.”
Hasan was found guilty of murdering 13 people and wounding an additional 32 in a 2009 shooting at a US military base.
Nidal Malik Hasan’s execution will be live streamed(Image: AFP/Getty)
Pentagon officials confirmed on Thursday that the execution will be live streamed, with further details to be released. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated on Monday that President Donald Trump had authorised Hasan’s execution.
The US military hasn’t executed a service member by firing squad since World War II. The final military execution occurred on April 13, 1961, when Army Private John Bennett was executed by hanging.
