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Coroner orders fresh inquests into Birmingham pub bombings

New inquests are to be held into the deaths of 21 people who were killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

The senior coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Louise Hunt announced the decision after several review hearings and receiving "significant" new information.

During the recent hearings, families of some of those killed in the blasts in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs put forward a claim that the British state had knowledge of the attacks planned by the IRA before they were carried out.

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Victim's sister in tears after fresh inquest decision

Julie Hambleton, whose older sister Maxine died in the bombings, said the decision represented "the most seismic day" for all the families.

After bursting into tears outside Council House in Solihull, she told reporters:

  • the decision was "beyond our expectations"
  • finding out the truth about the bombings "was fundamental"
  • urged the bombers to find their "moral compass" and come forward
  • called on the government to ensure families were given Legal Aid funding
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  2. 7 updates
Coroner orders fresh inquests into Birmingham pub bombings

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