UK leader Andy Burnham calls public execution livestream "abhorrent"
Andy Burnham said he would never support a public execution and described the idea of livestreaming a firing-squad death as abhorrent.
During an appearance on the Rest Is Politics podcast, Andy Burnham condemned the prospect of a public execution, calling it "abhorrent" and stating he would never endorse it. The discussion centered on the United States' intention to livestream the firing-squad execution of former Army major Nidal Malik Hasan, scheduled for December 3 for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Burnham emphasized that he does not wish to see such an event anywhere in the world.
Fellow UK cabinet member Bridget Phillipson described the plan as "disturbing" and reaffirmed the country's historic abolition of capital punishment. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the execution will be publicly viewable, while Vice President JD Vance expressed personal disinterest in watching the broadcast. The comments highlight differing attitudes toward the death penalty between the two allied nations.
Why it matters
The remarks underscore divergent views on capital punishment and raise questions about media exposure of state-sanctioned killings.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Trump authorizes shooting execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan
- Oct 6 Pentagon announced the execution will be carried out by firing squad.
- Oct 7 Execution date set for Dec 3.
- Oct 8 Pentagon confirmed the execution will be livestreamed.
- Oct 9 British cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson called the US decision to livestream a firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan "disturbing" and reiterated Britain’s opposition to capital punishment.
- Oct 9 Survivor Alonzo Lunsford voiced support for the execution method while warning that a livestream could be misused.
- Oct 9 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that the execution will be carried out by firing squad and streamed online.
- Oct 9 Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle confirmed the execution date and firing‑squad method.
- Oct 11 President Trump said the decision on whether to livestream the execution remains pending.
In this story
Related stories
13 in this thread