51 Years On, Families Renew Fight for Justice in Birmingham Pub Bombings
Relatives say the government’s refusal to hold a public inquiry leaves England’s worst unsolved mass murder without answers.
Fifty-one years after the Birmingham pub bombings, families of the 21 people killed say their campaign for truth and accountability is still far from over.
On 21 November 1974, two IRA bombs exploded in busy Birmingham city-centre pubs, killing 21 people and injuring more than 200 others. Among those who died was 18-year-old Maxine Hambleton. Her sister, Julie Hambleton, now leads Justice for the 21, the campaign group fighting for answers.
“In 1974, 21 innocent souls were murdered and more than 200 people were left with life-changing injuries,” Julie said. “My sister Maxine was one of them. Fifty-one years on, no one has ever been held to account.”
“England’s longest unsolved mass murder”
Julie says the families feel devastated by the government’s recent decision not to hold a judge-led public inquiry into the bombings.
“What happened remains England’s longest unsolved mass murder of the 20th century,” she said. “For decades we’ve been told no documents existed. Now suddenly there are documents — but only if we sign up to the Legacy Commission. It’s obscene.”
The government’s Legacy Act steers victims toward a new Legacy Commission, but campaigners argue it is not Article 2 compliant, meaning families would not have the right to fully participate in the process.
“Declan Morgan, who will head it, has said it himself,” Julie added. “It wouldn’t let us participate. A judge-led public inquiry would. And it would give access to documents the Commission will hide forever.”
Despite decades of frustration, Julie says the families will not be walking away “We will never give up. Every time we’re knocked down, we get back up. The 21 aren’t here to fight for themselves — so we are their voice.”
Local MP Liam Byrne recently joined the campaign after boundary changes made him the MP for Bill Craig, whose brother was the last victim to die of his injuries from the bombing.
“He has stepped forward to help us get the truth our loved ones deserve,” Julie said. “Nothing less than a judge-led public inquiry will suffice.”
A memorial service will be held tonight at Birmingham Cathedral as families gather to remember the 21 victims.