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Hope for new inquests into Birmingham pub bombing deaths Hearing over inquests into Birmingham pub bombing deaths
(about 2 hours later)
Lawyers representing the relatives of those killed in the Birmingham pub bombings say they hope a court hearing will lead to the resumption of the original inquests into the deaths. A hearing that could lead to the reopening of inquests into the deaths of 21 people killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings has begun.
Twenty-one people were killed in November 1974 when two bombs exploded in pubs in Birmingham city centre. Coroner Louise Hunt opened proceedings, telling victims' relatives the hearing would focus on legal arguments as to whether new inquests should be held.
More than 40 years later, the families of the dead want the inquest into their deaths to be resumed. The QC for West Midlands Police said there were three lines of inquiry that could lead to "potential new evidence".
The three-day hearing will begin in Solihull on Wednesday. Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine died, is campaigning for new inquests.
The senior coroner for Birmingham, Louise Hunt, will hear from the families of three of the people murdered in the attacks - Maxine Hambleton, Trevor Thrupp and James Craig - as well as other "interested persons". She said: "What sort of society are we living in if we don't fight for those who died?"
More on this story and others Birmingham and Black CountryMore on this story and others Birmingham and Black Country
A decision is expected in two weeks' time. Kevin Winters, a solicitor representing some of the victims' families, said it was likely to be a "difficult and emotional day" although he was "quietly confident" the inquests would be reopened.
An inquest was opened and adjourned in 1975 but, because the case was subject to a criminal investigation which resulted in the conviction of six men, it was never resumed. Jeremy Johnson, QC for West Midlands Police, said among the lines of inquiry was the possibility of fresh forensic evidence which he said was now being pursued with the help of the Army.
Even though the convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed in 1991, the inquests remained closed. He added that the police were also looking at information about the bombings in a book published by a former member of the IRA and an account given to officers last August by a former fireman, Alan Hill.
The families argue they should be resumed as the original process was never completed. Ms Hunt, the senior coroner for Birmingham, will hear from the families of three of the people murdered in the attacks - Maxine Hambleton, Trevor Thrupp and James Craig - as well as other "interested persons".
The hearing in Solihull is expected to last for three days with a decision expected in two weeks' time.
An inquest was opened and adjourned in 1975 but, because the case was subject to a criminal investigation that resulted in the conviction of six men, it was never resumed.
The convictions of the Birmingham Six were quashed in 1991.
The families argue the inquests should be resumed as the original process was never completed.
Analysis: Phil Mackie, BBC Midlands correspondentAnalysis: Phil Mackie, BBC Midlands correspondent
This could be the last chance, in their lifetimes, for campaigners to have evidence heard in public which wasn't available in 1974. They'll hope coroner Louise Hunt will agree the inquest should be reopened and key witnesses, who the families believe can identify the bombers, be called.This could be the last chance, in their lifetimes, for campaigners to have evidence heard in public which wasn't available in 1974. They'll hope coroner Louise Hunt will agree the inquest should be reopened and key witnesses, who the families believe can identify the bombers, be called.
West Midlands Police says the investigation remains active but there's not enough evidence for a fresh prosecution.West Midlands Police says the investigation remains active but there's not enough evidence for a fresh prosecution.
Calls for a public inquiry have fallen on deaf ears which means an inquest remains the best chance for the families to discover who was responsible for the attacks. Calls for a public inquiry have fallen on deaf ears, which means an inquest remains the best chance for the families to discover who was responsible for the attacks.
Ordinarily a coroner's job is to determine how, where and when a person died, as well as their identity. In this case all of those facts are known, but the coroner can also investigate the circumstances of someone's death.Ordinarily a coroner's job is to determine how, where and when a person died, as well as their identity. In this case all of those facts are known, but the coroner can also investigate the circumstances of someone's death.
The victims' relatives are pinning their hopes on a resumption, and that it will be as far-reaching as the Hillsborough Inquest.The victims' relatives are pinning their hopes on a resumption, and that it will be as far-reaching as the Hillsborough Inquest.
Birmingham pub bombings inquests: What we knowBirmingham pub bombings inquests: What we know
No-one has ever been legitimately convicted of the bombing, which is widely believed to have been carried out by the IRA.
Human rights lawyer Kevin Winters said he believed there was a basis for an inquest, which would provide families with access to certain "disclosure materials" he claimed had been kept from them.
"There's an ongoing duty on behalf of the authorities, and especially West Midlands Police, to actually get to the bottom of what happened," said Mr Winters.
'Poor service'
"These families have received a very poor service in terms of justice and truth and closure - they've got nothing near it at all."
West Midlands Police has confirmed the case is still open, but will not comment on the coroner's review.
Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died in the attacks, said: "The lives of 20 families changed on that night and they have never been told the truth about what happened.
"There are many more - the casualties and those who came to their aid on the night - whose lives were changed forever, too.
"We believe it is only right for the inquest to be reopened, even after the passing of the years, because it is an opportunity for the truth to be told and a chance for all those left bereaved to find out more about what happened to their loved ones.
"We cannot move on until we have explored every avenue to try to get to the truth."