This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35534745

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Birmingham pub bombings inquests: What we know Birmingham pub bombings inquests: What we know
(about 17 hours later)
More than 40 years after 21 people were killed by bombs in two Birmingham pubs, the city's senior coroner is set to hear from families who want inquests into their loved ones deaths resumed. Many of them regard the inquests as their last chance to get to the bottom of what happened that night and find answers to a brutal, unsolved crime that shocked the country.More than 40 years after 21 people were killed by bombs in two Birmingham pubs, the city's senior coroner is set to hear from families who want inquests into their loved ones deaths resumed. Many of them regard the inquests as their last chance to get to the bottom of what happened that night and find answers to a brutal, unsolved crime that shocked the country.
What were the Birmingham pub bombings?What were the Birmingham pub bombings?
On the evening of 21 November 1974, hundreds of people, many who were young and out with friends, family and work colleagues, chatted in two busy Birmingham city centre pubs.On the evening of 21 November 1974, hundreds of people, many who were young and out with friends, family and work colleagues, chatted in two busy Birmingham city centre pubs.
Meanwhile, a man telephoned the Birmingham Post and Mail to warn two bombs had been planted in the city centre. Officers in Birmingham, which had seen a spate of IRA bombings during the mainland campaign, rushed to the scene, but were too late.Meanwhile, a man telephoned the Birmingham Post and Mail to warn two bombs had been planted in the city centre. Officers in Birmingham, which had seen a spate of IRA bombings during the mainland campaign, rushed to the scene, but were too late.
At 20:17 GMT a bomb exploded in a duffel bag in the Mulberry Bush pub in the Rotunda, Birmingham, killing 10 people. Ten minutes later, a second bomb went off in the Tavern in the Town, leaving 11 more dead.At 20:17 GMT a bomb exploded in a duffel bag in the Mulberry Bush pub in the Rotunda, Birmingham, killing 10 people. Ten minutes later, a second bomb went off in the Tavern in the Town, leaving 11 more dead.
A total of 182 people were also injured in what was, at the time, the worst terrorist atrocity on English soil.A total of 182 people were also injured in what was, at the time, the worst terrorist atrocity on English soil.
Who were the victims?Who were the victims?
The 21 people killed - seven women and 14 men - were aged between 17 and 51. Thirteen of the victims were under 30, including five in their teens.The 21 people killed - seven women and 14 men - were aged between 17 and 51. Thirteen of the victims were under 30, including five in their teens.
Over the decades, stories have emerged of those who died and some of the people seriously injured have spoken of their experience and the lasting affect it had on them.Over the decades, stories have emerged of those who died and some of the people seriously injured have spoken of their experience and the lasting affect it had on them.
Julie Hambleton, who has led calls for a public inquiry into the attacks, recalled how her "world fell apart" aged 11 when her 18-year-old sister Maxine who was "like another mother" was killed while handing out party invitations in a pub.Julie Hambleton, who has led calls for a public inquiry into the attacks, recalled how her "world fell apart" aged 11 when her 18-year-old sister Maxine who was "like another mother" was killed while handing out party invitations in a pub.
Who carried out the bombings?Who carried out the bombings?
Six men were wrongly convicted of the two pub bombings but were finally released in 1991. During the near 17 years they spent behind bars "the Birmingham Six" became a cause célèbre as one of the worst miscarriages of justice seen in Britain.Six men were wrongly convicted of the two pub bombings but were finally released in 1991. During the near 17 years they spent behind bars "the Birmingham Six" became a cause célèbre as one of the worst miscarriages of justice seen in Britain.
The IRA is believed to have carried out the bombings, although no-one has ever admitted responsibility.The IRA is believed to have carried out the bombings, although no-one has ever admitted responsibility.
BBC News has looked at why no-one has ever been brought to justice for the 21 murders.BBC News has looked at why no-one has ever been brought to justice for the 21 murders.
West Midlands Police began re-investigating the case in 1991 and officers generated 5,000 documents, statements and reports. But in 1994, it said there was insufficient evidence for any prosecutions. Although the force says the investigation into the bombings remains active, no arrests have been made.West Midlands Police began re-investigating the case in 1991 and officers generated 5,000 documents, statements and reports. But in 1994, it said there was insufficient evidence for any prosecutions. Although the force says the investigation into the bombings remains active, no arrests have been made.
Why were the inquests halted?Why were the inquests halted?
An inquest was opened and adjourned days after the attack but because the case was subject to a criminal investigation - which resulted in the conviction of six men - it was never resumed.An inquest was opened and adjourned days after the attack but because the case was subject to a criminal investigation - which resulted in the conviction of six men - it was never resumed.
Even though the convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed in 1991, the inquests have remained closed.Even though the convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed in 1991, the inquests have remained closed.
After the convictions were quashed, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Barbara Mills, placed a 75-year embargo on files relating to a Devon and Cornwall Police inquiry into the West Midlands Police investigation.After the convictions were quashed, the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Barbara Mills, placed a 75-year embargo on files relating to a Devon and Cornwall Police inquiry into the West Midlands Police investigation.
Those files will not be released until 2069.Those files will not be released until 2069.
Why might the inquests be resumed now?Why might the inquests be resumed now?
The move follows a campaign by the Justice 4 the 21 campaign group, led by family members of victims of the bombings.The move follows a campaign by the Justice 4 the 21 campaign group, led by family members of victims of the bombings.
It met Home Secretary Theresa May and Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers last March to lobby for an inquest. An application for a fresh inquest was also lodged with the attorney general.It met Home Secretary Theresa May and Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers last March to lobby for an inquest. An application for a fresh inquest was also lodged with the attorney general.
Relatives of Maxine Hambleton, Trevor Thrupp and James Craig have made an application to the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull for the hearings to resume. This is now being considered.Relatives of Maxine Hambleton, Trevor Thrupp and James Craig have made an application to the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull for the hearings to resume. This is now being considered.
Why resume inquests after more than 40 years?Why resume inquests after more than 40 years?
This could be the last chance, in their lifetimes, for campaigners to have evidence heard in public which was not available in 1974.This could be the last chance, in their lifetimes, for campaigners to have evidence heard in public which was not available in 1974.
They hope that coroner Louise Hunt will agree that the inquest should be reopened and that key witnesses, who the families believe can identify the bombers, will be called.They hope that coroner Louise Hunt will agree that the inquest should be reopened and that key witnesses, who the families believe can identify the bombers, will be called.
Julie Hambleton said: "All we want is one thing - justice. No more, no less. We don't want money, we don't want an apology. All we want is justice."Julie Hambleton said: "All we want is one thing - justice. No more, no less. We don't want money, we don't want an apology. All we want is justice."
Ms Hunt wanted to hear from "interested persons" to help her decide whether or not to resume the inquests into the 1974 deaths. The Justice for the 21 group urged other relatives and "those who want to know the truth" to contact the coroner.Ms Hunt wanted to hear from "interested persons" to help her decide whether or not to resume the inquests into the 1974 deaths. The Justice for the 21 group urged other relatives and "those who want to know the truth" to contact the coroner.
What happens now?What happens now?
The coroner is expected hear submissions from interested parties at a hearing at Solihull Council over the next three days. The coroner is expected hear submissions from interested parties at a hearing at Solihull Council.
It is anticipated she will deliver her decision on whether the inquests will be resumed on 24 February. A decision on reopening the inquests will be taken on 6 April.