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Birmingham pub bombings: 'IRA mole tipped off police' Birmingham pub bombings: 'IRA mole tipped off police'
(about 2 hours later)
An IRA informant may have told police about the 1974 Birmingham pub bombs before they exploded, a coroner heard.An IRA informant may have told police about the 1974 Birmingham pub bombs before they exploded, a coroner heard.
Birmingham and Solihull coroner Louise Hunt is hearing an application to resume inquests into 21 deaths.Birmingham and Solihull coroner Louise Hunt is hearing an application to resume inquests into 21 deaths.
She has ordered police to produce any information on claims the force may have been tipped off in advance.She has ordered police to produce any information on claims the force may have been tipped off in advance.
The coroner also set a provisional date of 6 April when she will deliver her decision about whether the inquest can resume. The coroner also set a provisional date of 6 April when she will deliver her decision about whether the inquests can resume.
Ashley Underwood QC, who represents some victims' families, said there was "reason to believe it's the case" police received information.Ashley Underwood QC, who represents some victims' families, said there was "reason to believe it's the case" police received information.
More on this story and others Birmingham and Black CountryMore on this story and others Birmingham and Black Country
Mr Underwood said West Midlands Police officers may have wrongly prosecuted six men - who became known as the Birmingham Six and whose convictions were quashed in 1991 - knowing they were innocent in order to protect their "mole" and cover up their prior knowledge of the attacks.Mr Underwood said West Midlands Police officers may have wrongly prosecuted six men - who became known as the Birmingham Six and whose convictions were quashed in 1991 - knowing they were innocent in order to protect their "mole" and cover up their prior knowledge of the attacks.
"There is reason to believe the gang of murderers had an informant in their ranks and that the police knew in advance. "There is reason to believe the gang of murderers had an informant in their ranks and that the police knew in advance," he said.
"And there is reason to believe the police had sufficient time, between the telephone warnings and the first bomb going off, to evacuate - and that the emergency services could have arrived earlier - but that records about those things were falsified.""And there is reason to believe the police had sufficient time, between the telephone warnings and the first bomb going off, to evacuate - and that the emergency services could have arrived earlier - but that records about those things were falsified."
'Get the evidence''Get the evidence'
Ms Hunt asked the force to provide by 3 March a list of evidence which has been lost or destroyed.Ms Hunt asked the force to provide by 3 March a list of evidence which has been lost or destroyed.
She also asked for the disclosure of documents to do with advanced warnings and timings of the bombings, the response times on the night, whether or not there was an informant, whether all reasonable steps were taken at the time and whether documents were falsified to protect an informant or anyone else. She also asked for the disclosure of documents to do with: advanced warnings and timings of the bombings, the response times on the night, whether or not there was an informant, whether all reasonable steps were taken at the time and whether documents were falsified to protect an informant or others.
Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died in the attacks, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about whether the inquest can resume. A summary of the police investigations carried out since 1991 was also requested.
Speaking outside the hearing, she said: "In essence what the coroner has asked for is for West Midlands Police to provide a body of material in order to get the evidence for the families involved and to get the inquest resumed." Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died in the attacks, said she was "cautiously optimistic" about the inquests resuming.
Speaking outside the hearing, she said: "What the coroner has asked for is for West Midlands Police to provide a body of material in order to get the evidence for the families involved and to get the inquest resumed."
The coroner said further submissions may be made on 23 March.The coroner said further submissions may be made on 23 March.
She said she was adjourning proceedings because of an "evidential vacuum" around claims made by the victims' families' lawyers.
Jeremy Johnson QC, for West Midlands Police, said its chief constable has no "principled objection" to the resumption of the inquests, but questioned whether Ms Hunt had jurisdiction to hear them.Jeremy Johnson QC, for West Midlands Police, said its chief constable has no "principled objection" to the resumption of the inquests, but questioned whether Ms Hunt had jurisdiction to hear them.
Ms Hunt had requested Mr Johnson provide her with a list of "lost" evidence, including an unexploded third bomb. But he added West Midlands Police would comply with the coroner's direction to supply any documents, statements and supporting evidence on a number of key factors raised by the families.
He also said the criminal investigation was still open.
A separate police review of evidence in the case, ending in 2014, discovered that of the 168 original exhibits listed for the Birmingham Six trial, 35 items could not be located.A separate police review of evidence in the case, ending in 2014, discovered that of the 168 original exhibits listed for the Birmingham Six trial, 35 items could not be located.
Mr Johnson said the possibility of fresh forensic evidence was now being pursued with the help of the Army.Mr Johnson said the possibility of fresh forensic evidence was now being pursued with the help of the Army.
He said police were looking at information about the bombings in a book published by a former member of the IRA. They were also considering an account given to officers last August by a former firefighter, Alan Hill.He said police were looking at information about the bombings in a book published by a former member of the IRA. They were also considering an account given to officers last August by a former firefighter, Alan Hill.
Claire Dobbin, on behalf of the Police Federation, said the organisation did not oppose a resumption of the inquests but argued there was no legal justification for it to be reconvened 41 years after the bombings.
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 completed.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 completed.
The families argue the inquests should now be resumed.The families argue the inquests should now be resumed.
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