Lost Voices

In this episode MP Chris Bryant concludes the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s late November 1835 and James and John are in the “hell above ground” of Newgate Prison, among their only visitors is a young writer called Charles Dickens who's appalled by their treatment. Hensleigh Wedgwood, the magistrate who committed the men to trial, writes to the Home Secretary pleading for their lives, but it is not to be and notorious hangman William Calcraft will, once again, be at the gallows in front of a blood-thirsty crowd. Although it will come too late for James and John, change is in the air.

Host: Chris Bryant MP

Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick

Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

Exec Producer: Jamie East

Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512

This is a Mail Metro Media Production.

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In this episode MP Chris Bryant continues the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s summer of 1835 and, after James and John have been seen having sex in William Bonell’s room in South London, their case has come to court. James’ wife Elizabeth pleads for her husband’s life - but it’s in vain. Two men will be executed and one will be shipped across the world to die, broken, in a new and strange land.

Host: Chris Bryant MP

Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick

Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

Exec Producer: Jamie East

Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512

This is a Mail Metro Media Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode MP Chris Bryant begins the three part story of James and John, the last two men in Britain to be hung for the crime of sodomy. It’s the summer of 1835 and the two men, both servants to wealthy clients, meet in William Bonell’s rooms in South London. But someone’s looking in on them and 19th-century Britain’s unique obsession with homosexuality will leave a dark and terrible stain on our nation’s legal history.

Host: Chris Bryant MP

Producer: Rob Fitzpatrick

Editor & Sound Design: Tony Onuchukwu

Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini

Exec Producer: Jamie East

Leave a comment on Spotify or even send us a voice note on WhatsApp +44 7796 657 512

This is a Mail Metro Media Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing Lost Voices, a series dedicated to events that should never have happened.

Season 1 focuses on James & John - the last two men to be hanged in Britain for being gay - hosted by Chris Bryant MP.

A Daily Mail production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices