Birmingham Pub Bombings

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-36421035

I have just heard John Humphies interview Julie Hambleton and an ex-IRA man on the Today Program. One of the most shocking interviews I have ever heard.

Lets hope the Coroner will rule to open the inquest into the deaths of 21 people in the Birmingham pub bombings today. After over 40 years, the poor people of Birmingham need some progress.

[ummmm]

I thinks it's very likely. Apparently new evidence has surfaced.

[mikey4444]

Ummm...new evidence surfaced when the convictions of innocent Birmingham Six were declared unsafe and unsatisfactory, and quashed by the Court of Appeal in 1991.

But I am not sure why the matter wasn't reopened 15 years ago, or indeed why the original Inquests were stopped in 1974 in the first place.

43 years is an awful long time for this issue to hang around with any resolution.

[ummmm]

In the Guildford fours case evidence was withheld. So I'm not sure in this case was evidence withheld or has new evidence surfaced.

I only heard the news briefly and an ex IRA member has come forward.

We'll have to wait and see.

[Gromit]

// 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. //

The original investigation by West Midlands Police was botched allowing the guilty to enjoy their freedom. And is hampering subsequent investigating intowho the real culprits are.

[mikey4444]

Gromit has it right here. The six were effectively tortured by the Brum Police into making confessions.

But while all this has been going on, the real murderers were free to murder again, and the people of Birmingham have been left high and dry.

Shocking.

[mikey4444]

But just as in the Hillsborough affair, I am convinced that the real truth will eventually come out.

I recommend Chris Mullins Book " Error of Judgement: The Truth about the Birmingham Bombings, to anybody who wants to know more about this.

[agchristie]

Mikey, I wish I was as confident as you that the real truth will come out.

I read the book in the early 90's and agree it is good.

[mikey4444]

Can anyone help here ? The interview this morning was about 08:15'ish.

I have been trying to find it online but haven't been successful.....perhaps its too early.

[agchristie]

Regarding the 'truth' of what happens at any given disaster such as those mentioned the major hurdle is to ascertain the facts to the required standard of proof of course.

Before that stage is even reached the CPS must decide that on the evidence held that there is a realistic prospect of conviction.

I hope that the appropriate people responsible are resting uneasier and are eventually brought to book but I just don't have a good feeling particularly concerning any Hillsborough prosecution(s).

I give an example, the Omagh bombing in 1998. In this case, a civil case succeeded but nobody has yet been convicted in a criminal court (without a successful appeal).

[grumpy01]

Now,since the Good Friday agreement,we have people like Martin McGuiness shaking hands with the Queen.Our "Justice" system has a lot to answer for.

[Prudie]

Rather eerily on R4 late last night was another case that's due to be re-opened - the 'Kingsmill Massacre' when 11 protestants were taken off a work minibus and shot (all killed except 1) in 1976 in Armagh. It's such a long time afterwards plus I thought all events from the 'troubles' had been to all intent pardoned?

[agchristie]

Grumpy01 > Justice" system has a lot to answer for.

It is not perfect as we have seen time and time again. You mention McGuinness,you could mention Adams in the USA but let's not forget there have been several high profile miscarriages of justice involving Republicans and Loyalists.

[Gromit]

The interview is on the BBC Radio iPlayer.

[Svejk]

Is it possible that an enquiry will find the 'Birmingham 6' were involved?

[hc4361]

Svejk, I wouldn't be at all surprised. At least there is to be another inquest

[Gromit]

Svejk,
Unlikely.
The guilty men were debriefed by the IRA in the Republic a coouple of weeks after the bombs. The Birmingham Six were locked up in England at the time.
Apparently the names of the real bombers has been known for decades, and none of the 'Six' were involved.

[HansUrbancka]

Is this the Radio Clip for which you are looking.? :-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03wwqxr

Hans.

[naomi24]

Gromit, //Apparently the names of the real bombers has been known for decades, and none of the 'Six' were involved. //

Where has that been made apparent? Do you have a link?

[Gromit]

Naomi

They were named in Granada TV's 'World in Action' in 1990. The programme prompted the review of evidence against the Birmingham Six, which led to their acquittal. The real culprits are also named in Chris Mullins book, he produced the World in Action programme.

// Mick Murray was one of the ringleaders of the IRA unit that murdered 21 people in the Birmingham pub bombings 30 years ago. Murray helped to choose the targets, the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs. He was one of the bomb-makers, transported the bombs to the city centre and handed them to the men who planted them. Murray then botched the telephone warning that was supposed to allow 30 minutes for the pubs to be cleared. His warning, using the codewords “Double X”, came six minutes before the first explosion and did not name either pub. Murray, who was arrested in the aftermath of the bombings, admitted being a member of the IRA. West Midlands Police never charged him with murder, however, and he served 12 years in jail for conspiracy to cause explosions.

Two other alleged bombers were named in 1990 by the Granada World in Action programme, but their current whereabouts are not known. The present identity of another man who may have been a police informant is also unknown. The man known as Belfast Jimmy, the unit’s leader, is now in his 50s and lives in a block of flats just north of Dublin city centre. Approached there by The Times he refused to discuss the Birmingham bombings. He said: “I know nothing about anything that happened in England.” //

[naomi24]

Thank you, Gromit.