Mayday: 2. The Pizza in the Suitcase

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

When he fell to his death in Turkey in 2019 James Le Mesurier 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

“Investigation into death of White Helmets co-founder” - CBC News: The National, 11 Nov 2019 – video from New York Al Jazeera

James Le Mesurier home video – family collection