“Our volunteers were seen as if they were waiting for the execution.” – How to tell who the jihadists are.

When James Le Mesurier fell to his death in Turkey in 2019 he left behind a tangle of truths and lies. Mayday tells the extraordinary real story of the man who organised the White Helmets – rescuers who film themselves pulling survivors from bombed out buildings in rebel-held areas of Syria – and investigates claims that, far from being heroes, they are part of a very elaborate hoax. James Le Mesurier – his detractors say – was a British secret agent, pulling the strings. So when his body was found by worshippers on their way to morning prayers, there were a lot questions.

This episode contains a description of violence in Syria.

Produced, written and presented by: Chloe Hadjimatheou
Editor: Emma Rippon
Researcher: Tom Wright
Podcast mix: Neil Churchill
Additional mixing Graham Pudifoot
Editing assistance: Robbie Wojciechowski
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
Arabic translation and additional research: Vanessa Bowles, Abdul Kader Habak
Turkish researcher: Nevin Sungur
Narrative Consultant: John Yorke
Original music: Nick Mundy
End track: Zamilou by Bu Kolthoum Show less