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-37702584

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

Version 0 Version 1
Guildford Four: Gerry Conlon's sister calls for files to be released Guildford Four: Gerry Conlon's sister calls for files to be released
(about 17 hours later)
The sister of Guildford Four member Gerry Conlon has called for secret papers on his case to be made public after some were released to the BBC.The sister of Guildford Four member Gerry Conlon has called for secret papers on his case to be made public after some were released to the BBC.
Mr Conlon and three others were jailed in what is widely regarded as one of the UK's worst miscarriages of justice.Mr Conlon and three others were jailed in what is widely regarded as one of the UK's worst miscarriages of justice.
Previously unseen files from an inquiry into the case indicate persistent attempts to try to "reconvict" the four, Mr Conlon's lawyer has said.Previously unseen files from an inquiry into the case indicate persistent attempts to try to "reconvict" the four, Mr Conlon's lawyer has said.
His sister Ann McKernan said releasing the documents would reveal the truth.His sister Ann McKernan said releasing the documents would reveal the truth.
It was Mr Conlon's dying wish to see evidence gathered as part of an inquiry into the case made public.It was Mr Conlon's dying wish to see evidence gathered as part of an inquiry into the case made public.
Following a freedom of information request, the first six files from Sir John May's five-year probe into the bombings were released to the BBC after a redaction process that took nearly a year.Following a freedom of information request, the first six files from Sir John May's five-year probe into the bombings were released to the BBC after a redaction process that took nearly a year.
But the vast majority of the files - more than 700 - remain closed at the National Archives at Kew.But the vast majority of the files - more than 700 - remain closed at the National Archives at Kew.
The Guildford FourThe Guildford Four
Gerry Conlon (pictured), Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson, who always protested their innocence, served 15 years before their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal in 1989.Gerry Conlon (pictured), Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson, who always protested their innocence, served 15 years before their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal in 1989.
All made signed confessions and were charged with the Guildford bombings, but would later retract their statements, claiming they had been obtained using violence, threats to their family and intimidation.All made signed confessions and were charged with the Guildford bombings, but would later retract their statements, claiming they had been obtained using violence, threats to their family and intimidation.
But all four were found guilty and received life sentences.But all four were found guilty and received life sentences.
It was only after a campaign that received support from high-profile politicians and law lords that the four were finally released.It was only after a campaign that received support from high-profile politicians and law lords that the four were finally released.
The "Balcombe Street Gang" IRA unit later claimed responsibility, although no-one else was ever charged.The "Balcombe Street Gang" IRA unit later claimed responsibility, although no-one else was ever charged.
Mrs McKernan said her brother always believed the files contained information that needed to be made public.Mrs McKernan said her brother always believed the files contained information that needed to be made public.
"Gerry had applied to get in the queue," she said."Gerry had applied to get in the queue," she said.
"They refused. They wouldn't let him."They refused. They wouldn't let him.
"He knew that there was stuff in there that had to be released to the public.""He knew that there was stuff in there that had to be released to the public."
Files released so far - working papers that include letters, meeting minutes and memos - have shown some inquiry members refused to accept Mr Conlon's assertion that he was not in the IRA.Files released so far - working papers that include letters, meeting minutes and memos - have shown some inquiry members refused to accept Mr Conlon's assertion that he was not in the IRA.
In the papers, assessor Richard Barratt suggests that Mr Conlon's alleged IRA background would have influenced the legal process in 1974 ahead of the Guildford Four's trial.In the papers, assessor Richard Barratt suggests that Mr Conlon's alleged IRA background would have influenced the legal process in 1974 ahead of the Guildford Four's trial.
The allegation of IRA membership was a claim Mr Conlon always denied.The allegation of IRA membership was a claim Mr Conlon always denied.
What the released papers sayWhat the released papers say
One February 1994 memo headed "Conlon's Proof" quotes a document suggesting Mr Conlon admitted he was a member of the IRA until 1974.One February 1994 memo headed "Conlon's Proof" quotes a document suggesting Mr Conlon admitted he was a member of the IRA until 1974.
It gives "three reasons" to believe the statement was true:It gives "three reasons" to believe the statement was true:
And in a letter to Sir John May that February, Richard Barratt, a chief inspector of constabulary for HMIC, said: "Rightly or wrongly intelligence about Conlon's involvement in IRA affairs would have influenced detectives in their attitude to him..."And in a letter to Sir John May that February, Richard Barratt, a chief inspector of constabulary for HMIC, said: "Rightly or wrongly intelligence about Conlon's involvement in IRA affairs would have influenced detectives in their attitude to him..."
He continued: "... almost certainly the approach to the case of the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and his staff, as well as prosecuting counsel in the lead-up to his trial, would have been affected by this background knowledge".He continued: "... almost certainly the approach to the case of the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and his staff, as well as prosecuting counsel in the lead-up to his trial, would have been affected by this background knowledge".
Mr Barratt added: "Conlon has portrayed himself as an innocent young Irishman who was plucked from the street by rogue police officers... This is patently false."Mr Barratt added: "Conlon has portrayed himself as an innocent young Irishman who was plucked from the street by rogue police officers... This is patently false."
But another earlier memo from the collection of documents, written in 1990, said of Mr Conlon: "The intelligence material is thought to amount to very little." But another earlier memo from the collection of documents, written in 1990 and headed Metropolitan Police special branch papers, said of Mr Conlon: "The intelligence material is thought to amount to very little."
Throughout February 1994, the inquiry, which also examined the convictions of the Maguire Seven, debated whether the information should be disclosed "in the public interest" and the impact of demonstrating the four were not "innocents plucked from the streets".Throughout February 1994, the inquiry, which also examined the convictions of the Maguire Seven, debated whether the information should be disclosed "in the public interest" and the impact of demonstrating the four were not "innocents plucked from the streets".
A memo dated 9 February 1994 about the information said: "It is by no means conclusive of guilt but it does have the effect of destroying almost all the arguments and evidence deployed on the four's behalf over the years."A memo dated 9 February 1994 about the information said: "It is by no means conclusive of guilt but it does have the effect of destroying almost all the arguments and evidence deployed on the four's behalf over the years."
Mrs McKernan said the Conlons were "an ordinary Catholic family" growing up in the Falls Road in a working-class area.Mrs McKernan said the Conlons were "an ordinary Catholic family" growing up in the Falls Road in a working-class area.
"My family weren't republicans," she said."My family weren't republicans," she said.
Lawyer Alastair Logan, who represented Mr Conlon in the years following his conviction, said the documents were not comprehensive and were working papers.Lawyer Alastair Logan, who represented Mr Conlon in the years following his conviction, said the documents were not comprehensive and were working papers.
But he added: "They give us an indication that some of the problems that we had in the course of the case over many years, the persistent attempt to try and 'reconvict' the Guildford Four, was still going on after their acquittal."But he added: "They give us an indication that some of the problems that we had in the course of the case over many years, the persistent attempt to try and 'reconvict' the Guildford Four, was still going on after their acquittal."
'Whispering campaign''Whispering campaign'
He said once the Guildford Four had been acquitted, no-one could assert they were guilty without risking a defamation claim.He said once the Guildford Four had been acquitted, no-one could assert they were guilty without risking a defamation claim.
But Mr Logan said a "whispering campaign" began, based on claims the Guildford Four were guilty.But Mr Logan said a "whispering campaign" began, based on claims the Guildford Four were guilty.
He said it was primarily motivated by police but also by others whose reputations were involved.He said it was primarily motivated by police but also by others whose reputations were involved.
"It wasn't just police. It was law officers and certain judges," he said."It wasn't just police. It was law officers and certain judges," he said.
He added: "So far as we are concerned, their reputations had been restored by the acquittal, but the police reputation was in tatters."He added: "So far as we are concerned, their reputations had been restored by the acquittal, but the police reputation was in tatters."
Richard O'Rawe, Mr Conlon's biographer and a former spokesman for IRA prisoners in the 1980s, said: "They wanted to establish some kind of guilt - it was guilt by association."Richard O'Rawe, Mr Conlon's biographer and a former spokesman for IRA prisoners in the 1980s, said: "They wanted to establish some kind of guilt - it was guilt by association."
He said that during the early 1990s people tried to make out Mr Conlon was in the IRA, but he added that the Guildford Four "were just a bunch of hippies" without the discipline and reliability to be part of a "military machine".He said that during the early 1990s people tried to make out Mr Conlon was in the IRA, but he added that the Guildford Four "were just a bunch of hippies" without the discipline and reliability to be part of a "military machine".
Mr O'Rawe said his lifelong friend was left "burning up inside" because he never saw the files.Mr O'Rawe said his lifelong friend was left "burning up inside" because he never saw the files.
Guildford Four timelineGuildford Four timeline
Mr Conlon referred to the papers in a BBC interview in 2011.Mr Conlon referred to the papers in a BBC interview in 2011.
He said: "I lost so much that I need to have the truth come out. I need the papers that the government have put a public immunity interest on being released."He said: "I lost so much that I need to have the truth come out. I need the papers that the government have put a public immunity interest on being released."
He said he condemned the IRA.He said he condemned the IRA.
"I don't support the IRA. I don't support militant nationalism. I condemn them as much as I condemn the British government and the British police because they let us rot in prison when they could have helped us," he said."I don't support the IRA. I don't support militant nationalism. I condemn them as much as I condemn the British government and the British police because they let us rot in prison when they could have helped us," he said.
Sir John May's final, public, report did include some information about Mr Conlon's alleged IRA background, and his denial of it.Sir John May's final, public, report did include some information about Mr Conlon's alleged IRA background, and his denial of it.
Calling for the release of the rest of the files, Mrs McKernan said: "The government's guilty of hiding evidence and to this very day they are still hiding the evidence.Calling for the release of the rest of the files, Mrs McKernan said: "The government's guilty of hiding evidence and to this very day they are still hiding the evidence.
"You've only got six files out of 700-and-odd. Release the rest of them. Release the rest of the files. Let the public see because surely I've nothing to hide and neither has my family.""You've only got six files out of 700-and-odd. Release the rest of them. Release the rest of the files. Let the public see because surely I've nothing to hide and neither has my family."
Mr Conlon died two years ago at the age of 60. He spent a quarter of his life in jail.Mr Conlon died two years ago at the age of 60. He spent a quarter of his life in jail.
The remaining files show a release date of 1 January 2020, but Mr Logan said it would be a tragedy if they were not made public sooner.The remaining files show a release date of 1 January 2020, but Mr Logan said it would be a tragedy if they were not made public sooner.
He said: "Impunity at any time is hugely reprehensible.He said: "Impunity at any time is hugely reprehensible.
"What I am sure is that we need to know the truth. And because part of that inquiry was held in camera, in secret, we will never know the truth until those papers are revealed.""What I am sure is that we need to know the truth. And because part of that inquiry was held in camera, in secret, we will never know the truth until those papers are revealed."
Mr Logan said the surviving members of the Guildford Four, Paul Hill and Patrick Armstrong, still asserted their innocence and wanted the truth to be told.Mr Logan said the surviving members of the Guildford Four, Paul Hill and Patrick Armstrong, still asserted their innocence and wanted the truth to be told.
At one stage, campaigners claimed there was a 75-year embargo on the papers but the National Archives said two years ago the review date of 2019 had not changed.At one stage, campaigners claimed there was a 75-year embargo on the papers but the National Archives said two years ago the review date of 2019 had not changed.
A government spokesman said the Home Office did not comment on matters of national security.A government spokesman said the Home Office did not comment on matters of national security.
But the Home Office did provide background which said the government expected to release the files as planned in 2020 "subject to any sensitive or personal safety issues that may arise".But the Home Office did provide background which said the government expected to release the files as planned in 2020 "subject to any sensitive or personal safety issues that may arise".
The BBC has asked to see more files.The BBC has asked to see more files.