THOUSANDS of gay and bisexual men convicted of now-abolished sexual offences – including the previous Lord Montagu of Beaulieu – have now been posthumously pardoned.

Lord Montagu, pictured, who died in 2015 aged 88, was among those imprisoned for “unnatural” acts committed before homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967.

The so-called “Turing’s Law” applies to anyone convicted of historic sex offences that are no longer crimes.

Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said: “We can never undo the hurt caused but we have apologised and taken action to right these wrongs.

“I am immensely proud that Turing’s Law has become a reality under this Government.”

The pardons were first announced last year and have now been officially rubber-stamped after the Policing and Crime Bill received Royal Assent.

Charities reacted positively to the announcement, with Stonewall describing it as another important milestone in the campaign for equality.

A spokesman said: “Gay and bi men cautioned or convicted for kissing, holding hands or just chatting up men, can now have these ‘crimes’ deleted from their record.

“This not just equality for gay and bi men, the passing of this law is justice.”

It follows a successful campaign to secure a royal pardon for the Second World War code-breaker Alan Turing, who in 1952 was convicted of gross indecency with a 19-year-old man.

Unlike Turing, Lord Montagu pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court two years later.

But the flamboyant peer was jailed after a controversial case that paved the way for homosexual acts between consenting males to be legalised.

His prosecution provoked a wave of public sympathy, with many claiming it amounted to little more than a witch-hunt. 

Released after eight months he began to rebuild his life, welcoming royalty and other VIPs to Beaulieu and turning his newly launched motor museum into one of the UK’s top attractions.

Speaking four months ago the current Lord Montagu said: “My father always protested his innocence so in his case a pardon is somewhat irrelevant.”