US plans to execute former army major by firing squad are ‘disturbing’, Bridget Phillipson says

A Cabinet minister has described American plans to execute a former army major by firing squad as "disturbing", following confirmation that the execution will be livestreamed.

Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson reiterated the UK’s long-standing opposition to capital punishment, while stating that the procedure itself remains a matter for US President Donald Trump’s government.

Her views were echoed on Friday by a UN spokesperson, who said the move was “abhorrent” and “can constitute a ​form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, or punishment”.

Nidal Malik Hasan is scheduled to be put to death on December 3.

He was convicted over a 2009 mass shooting at the Fort Hood military base, which left 13 people dead and 32 injured.

This will mark the first military execution in the US for more than 65 years.

Asked about the issue on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Phillipson said she was “proud that our country did away with the death penalty a very, very long time ago”.

The Labour Party chairwoman added: “The view of the Government is always that we’re repulsed to the death penalty, my personal view is that I’m opposed to the death penalty.

“And I find that rather disturbing, is my honest reaction.”

Pressed further, she said: “It’s a matter for the US government.

“They are a close ally, does that mean that we support everything the US government does? No, but that’s not for us to involve ourselves in what are ultimately questions of US domestic policy.

“I’m a long-standing opponent of the death penalty.

“The Government – governments of all political persuasions actually – have had a long-standing commitment to not wanting to see the death penalty across the world.

“But in terms of how this is conducted, a matter for the US government.”

Reform UK’s economic spokesman Robert Jenrick warned against an execution being used as a form of entertainment when asked about it at a press conference in Westminster on Friday.

He said: “Ultimately it’s a decision for them, isn’t it? The crime was one of the most serious crimes, but it’s a decision how they choose to do this.

“I don’t think an execution should ever be a form of entertainment, but it’s a choice for them how they conduct this.”

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said it will be “public”, telling TV outlet Real America’s Voice: “We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it.”

Mr Trump drew applause at a White House event on Friday when he referred to the planned execution.

The US president told the gathering: “Death penalty through firing squad, and he deserves it.