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Birmingham pub bombings: coroner orders new inquests Birmingham pub bombings: coroner orders new inquests
(35 minutes later)
An inquest into the Birmingham pub bombings, one of the worst terrorist attacks in British history, is to be reopened 42 years after the twin blasts claimed the lives of 21 people.An inquest into the Birmingham pub bombings, one of the worst terrorist attacks in British history, is to be reopened 42 years after the twin blasts claimed the lives of 21 people.
Louise Hunt, the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said on Wednesday an inquest was needed because she had serious concerns that the police had failed to act on two warnings that the attacks were about to take place.Louise Hunt, the senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, said on Wednesday an inquest was needed because she had serious concerns that the police had failed to act on two warnings that the attacks were about to take place.
The decision comes three weeks after Hunt said she had received a “significant” piece of information about the advance notice that had been given before the explosions. She said: “This was a terrible atrocity resulting in multiple deaths.”The decision comes three weeks after Hunt said she had received a “significant” piece of information about the advance notice that had been given before the explosions. She said: “This was a terrible atrocity resulting in multiple deaths.”
Setting out the reasons for her ruling, Hunt said there was evidence that West Midlands police had missed two potential warnings of the bomb attacks, including a comment made by men linked to the IRA that “Birmingham would be hit next week”.Setting out the reasons for her ruling, Hunt said there was evidence that West Midlands police had missed two potential warnings of the bomb attacks, including a comment made by men linked to the IRA that “Birmingham would be hit next week”.
That overheard conversation was reported to police on 10 November 1974, but Hunt said there was “no indication that the police took any active steps in response to it”.That overheard conversation was reported to police on 10 November 1974, but Hunt said there was “no indication that the police took any active steps in response to it”.
On the day of the attack, a second tip-off to the police was not followed up, she added.On the day of the attack, a second tip-off to the police was not followed up, she added.
Hunt went on: “I have serious concerns that advanced notice of the bombs may have been available to the police and that they failed to take the necessary steps to protect life.Hunt went on: “I have serious concerns that advanced notice of the bombs may have been available to the police and that they failed to take the necessary steps to protect life.
“This is specifically in respect of the two matters I have identified.“This is specifically in respect of the two matters I have identified.
“It is only in respect of that issue that I consider there is sufficient reason to resume an inquest to investigate the circumstances of these deaths. So I am satisfied that the inquest should be resumed.”“It is only in respect of that issue that I consider there is sufficient reason to resume an inquest to investigate the circumstances of these deaths. So I am satisfied that the inquest should be resumed.”
She said claims police were protecting a mole in the IRA cell were unfounded, and neither did the emergency services response that night contribute to the deaths.She said claims police were protecting a mole in the IRA cell were unfounded, and neither did the emergency services response that night contribute to the deaths.
The coroner’s decision was welcomed by many of the relatives of the people who died – and the 182 people who were injured. They had been pushing for a new investigation following the realisation that the men convicted of the bombings had been entirely innocent.The coroner’s decision was welcomed by many of the relatives of the people who died – and the 182 people who were injured. They had been pushing for a new investigation following the realisation that the men convicted of the bombings had been entirely innocent.
Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine was among the 21 victims of the Birmingham pub bombings, said the decision to hold new inquests went “way beyond our expectations” as she urged the Government to ensure victims’ families were given legal aid funding. “All we want is to be heard so we can get the truth, justice and accountability.”Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine was among the 21 victims of the Birmingham pub bombings, said the decision to hold new inquests went “way beyond our expectations” as she urged the Government to ensure victims’ families were given legal aid funding. “All we want is to be heard so we can get the truth, justice and accountability.”
Speaking outside the hearing, Paddy Hill, one of the six men wrongly convicted of the bombings, welcomed the decision to order new inquests. He said: “I’ve known the truth all along. It’s about time the British public knew the truth.”Speaking outside the hearing, Paddy Hill, one of the six men wrongly convicted of the bombings, welcomed the decision to order new inquests. He said: “I’ve known the truth all along. It’s about time the British public knew the truth.”
But he said he was “sceptical” the truth would actually emerge. “Birmingham police couldn’t spell the word truth. They’re rotten,” he told reporters.But he said he was “sceptical” the truth would actually emerge. “Birmingham police couldn’t spell the word truth. They’re rotten,” he told reporters.
The bombings, which ripped through the underground Tavern in the Town and the nearby Mulberry Bush pub, are widely accepted to have been the work of the Provisional IRA. The terrorist group’s former intelligence director, Kieran Conway, recently describing the attacks as “an absolute disaster”.The bombings, which ripped through the underground Tavern in the Town and the nearby Mulberry Bush pub, are widely accepted to have been the work of the Provisional IRA. The terrorist group’s former intelligence director, Kieran Conway, recently describing the attacks as “an absolute disaster”.
A third bomb – found in a bag in Hagley Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham – only partially detonated and its remains were later lost by West Midlands police.A third bomb – found in a bag in Hagley Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham – only partially detonated and its remains were later lost by West Midlands police.
A botched investigation by the force led to the Birmingham Six being wrongly jailed for the crime. However, the men were freed in 1991 after their convictions were ruled unsafe by the court of appeal.A botched investigation by the force led to the Birmingham Six being wrongly jailed for the crime. However, the men were freed in 1991 after their convictions were ruled unsafe by the court of appeal.
West Midlands Chief Constable Dave Thompson pledged to support the new inquests, saying the initial investigation was “the most serious failing in this force’s history”.
He said: “The Birmingham pub bombings of 1974 are one of the most serious terrorist attacks in the UK. West Midlands Police not only failed to catch those responsible but caused a miscarriage of justice.
“I have said and reiterate again, it is the most serious failing in this force’s history. It is almost 42 years since these events. I understand families of those who lost their lives are frustrated, disappointed and angry.
“Since 2012, and directly as a result of the campaign by families of those who died, we have carefully reassessed the opportunities to bring the people responsible to justice. Despite an intense scrutiny we have not been able to see, at this time, a prospect of doing this. That has been an authentic and painstaking search for the truth.”
Thompson added: “We have not nor will not close this investigation. “West Midlands Police will support this inquiry as we have done through the recent hearings by the coroner which determined whether the inquest should re-open. I hope the new inquest provides answers to families.”