No new inquiry into 1974 Birmingham bombings

Relatives of the families of those killed in the 1974 Birmingham bombings met with West Midland Police today to discuss the possibility of a new inquiry into the death of their loved ones. The families were told there would be no new investigation, or proceedings.

Read: 'No fresh inquiry' into Birmingham bombings

Explaining the decision, Chief Constable Chris Sims said:

The families of those killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings say police have told them there will not be a fresh inquiry into the attacks.

They have been speaking following a meeting with bosses at West Midlands Police today.

ITV News Central Correspondent Keith Wilkinson said there was an angry response from the victims' families, following the talks.

Brian and Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died in the bombings, said they would continue to fight on and would now be taking legal advice.

Six men were jailed for life for the atrocity in 1975, but sixteen years later, their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal.

The families of those killed in the 1974 bombings at two Birmingham pubs are meeting with senior police officers to discuss whether a fresh inquiry will be launched.

Brian and Julie Hambleton lost their 18-year-old sister Maxine in the bombings - and have told ITV News Central they have never got over the loss.

Six men were arrested and the following year were jailed for life for the atrocity.

16 years later, their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal amid a series of public scandals about the West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad.

It is now considered one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.

And with the case still officially remaining unsolved almost 40 years later, the families of those lost are demanding answers.

For the Birmingham Six and their families, the sense of injustice continues too.

They felt they had been used as scapegoats in 1974 - partly to calm anti-Irish tensions in the city at the time - and have accused police of knowing who really was behind the attacks but failing to take action.

At today's meeting, which starts at 10am, senior police officers and prosecutors will discuss with the families whether a fresh inquiry is likely to go ahead.

Families of the 21 people who lost their lives in the Birmingham pub bombings 40 years ago will today meet with senior police officers to learn whether their campaign for a fresh inquiry has been successful.

West Midlands Police has been collating thousands of documents over the past few months, and examining whether new forensic techniques could be used to find those responsible.

No one has been brought to justice for the murder of 21 people in the terrorist attack on two pubs in Birmingham city centre in 1974.