A UK government minister has said she finds the United States' decision to livestream the execution of a terrorist by firing squad “disturbing”.
Minister for Women and Equalities and Chair of the Labour Party Bridget Phillipson shared her thoughts on the decision to publicly execute Nidal Malik Hasan. The Pentagon has announced that his firing squad execution will occur at Fort Hood on December 3, with Pete Hegseth stating it will be “public”.
Minister's personal reaction
Despite stating the publicly available execution is “a matter for the US government”, Phillipson added that she personally feels “disturbed” at the move. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said: “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.”
US domestic policy
Phillipson was asked if Prime Minister Andy Burnham should raise the issue with the United States after sharing her personal thoughts. 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.”
Execution details
Hasan was found guilty of murdering 13 people and wounding an additional 32 in a 2009 shooting at a US military base. 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.
