UK to pardon thousands convicted under past anti-gay laws

Thousands of men who were convicted under now-abolished British laws against homosexuality are to receive posthumous pardons, the government announced on Thursday. Those who are still alive can will be eligible to have their criminal records wiped clean.

The Ministry of Justice said the pardons apply to men convicted for consensual same-sex sexual relations before homosexuality was decriminalised several decades ago. Men living with convictions can apply to the government to have their names cleared.

Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said the government was trying "to put right these wrongs".