Bank defends picking Alan Turing for new £50 note
ALAN TURING has been unveiled as the face of the new £50 note, prompting the Bank of England to defend its decision not to choose a woman or person of colour.
The Second World War hero and “father” of computer science and artificial intelligence was selected from 989 eligible nominees and beat 11 shortlisted candidates including Stephen Hawking and Ada Lovelace.
Five women were shortlisted to appear on the new tender but none were favoured by Mark Carney, the Bank of England governor, who ultimately selected Mr Turing.
Mr Carney’s decision came in spite of the nine-month “Banknotes of Colour” campaign spearheaded by activists Zehra Zaidi and Patrick Vernon which sought for a person from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background to be depicted on the banknote.
Responding to the announcement yesterday, Ms Zaidi described Mr Turning as “a great choice” but accused Bank of England of ignoring BAME voices.
Mr Vernon said: “We’re meant to be a global economy but no one from a BAME background has ever appeared on a British banknote, it’s disappointing and with us increasingly becoming a cashless society, it’s likely there won’t be another opportunity for a person of colour to appear.”
Asked whether this represented a “missed opportunity” to have a person from an ethnic minority on the new note Mr Carney said: “We have to celebrate all aspects of diversity as best we can across four banknotes.
“We want to represent as best as possible all aspects of diversity in the country, that goes from race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, disability and beyond,” he added.
Sarah John, Bank of England chief cashier said it was “impossible” to ignore Mr Turing’s scientific legacy in favour of a female figure.
Just four women, including the Queen, and no ethnic minorities have featured on British banknote.
The new polymer note is expected to enter circulation at the end of 2021. It features Mr Turing’s signature, a photo of him taken in 1951 by Elliott & Fry which is at the National Portrait Gallery, and mathematical formulas from one of his most important papers penned in 1936.