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Mayday: 2. The Pizza in the Suitcase

2. The Pizza in the Suitcase

BBC Radio 4 - Mayday, 2. The Pizza in the Suitcase

"I was naked having a strip search and I know James was somewhere laughing his head off.” Who was James Le Mesurier?

“I was completely naked having a strip search and I just know James was somewhere laughing his head off”. – Who was James Le Mesurier? 

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. 

Produced, written and presented by Chloe Hadjimatheou
Editor: Emma Rippon 
Researcher: Tom Wright
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
Mixed by Neil Churchill 
Arabic translation and additional research: Vanessa Bowles, Abdul Kader Habak
Turkish Researcher: Nevin Sungur
Narrative Consultant: John Yorke
Original music: Nick Mundy and Bu Kolthoum

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When James Le Mesurier fell to his death he left behind a tangle of truths and lies.

When James Le Mesurier fell to his death in Turkey he left behind a tangle of truths and lies about his involvement with the White Helmets first responders in Syria.

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