Birmingham Pub Bombings Conclusion

The inquests into the deaths of the 21 victims of the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings has concluded today after more than 5 weeks of hearings. Jeremy Johnson QC and Robert Cohen acted on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police.

The inquests were resumed by the Senior Coroner for Birmingham to investigate the circumstances in which each victim lost their life. This included an investigation of the information known to West Midlands Police in advance of the bombings and their response to warning calls that the IRA made before the bombs exploded. 

The Coroner accepted West Midlands Police’s submission that he should direct the jury to return conclusions that each victim was unlawfully killed having been murdered. In turn the jury rejected any suggestion that West Midlands Police officers had made errors or omissions that caused or contributed to the deaths. They also rejected the suggestion that West Midlands Police had been given advanced warning of the bombs and had failed to take action. Following the jury’s conclusion the Coroner, Sir Peter Thornton QC, paid tribute to the emergency services and their response to the terrorist atrocity.