Mayday: 10. The Second Casualty

“They will be targeted for the rest of their lives.” Where does that leave everyone else?

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

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

Production Coordinator - Gemma Ashman

REFERENCES

“Statement by Amb.Nebenzia on addressing the issue of linkages between terrorism and organized crime” RussiaUN YouTube channel, 07 August 2020

“UK in Syria- Creating A Dystopian Shadow State Ft Vanessa Beeley on British Constitution Group” ICIT Digital Library, 02 May 2017

Vanessa Beeley Twitter posts @VanessaBeeley