Pub bombings campaigner's urgent plea as Prime Minister refuses to commit to inquiry

A Birmingham pub bombings campaigner has renewed calls for 'truth, justice and accountability' into the tragedy, days after the city came together to mourn the victims of the 1974 massacre. Following the 50th anniversary memorial ceremony last week, Julie Hambleton - sister of pub bombing victim Maxine Hambleton - said the fight for answers would continue 'today, tomorrow and next week' following the Prime Minister's refusal to commit to a full public inquiry.

A total of 21 people were killed, and almost 200 maimed and injured, when two IRA bombs exploded in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs on November 21, 1974. The bombers have never been caught in what remains Britain's largest unsovled mass murder in recent times.

Last Thursday, politicians and senior royals joined hundreds of families and traveling well-wishers who gathered outside the victim memorial to remember those who lost their lives. A senior lawyer representing the group said the moving ceremony was a 'further demonstration of the depth of public concern' regarding the continuing questions about the pub bombings.

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Julie is one of the founders of Justice4the21 who are campaigning for an independent public inquiry into the tragedy. She said yesterday: "On this Tuesday, we return to normal. It is another Tuesday, another week another year.

"Now it is 51 years since the pub bombings. Last Thursday it was 50 years. We and the people of Birmingham remembered and mourned the victims of the pub bombings.

"We stood with the survivors. We kept silence. We sent prayers. We heard messages of condolence and support from community and faith leaders and from local, national and international politicians and dignitaries including a representative of the King.

"But that was last week... now we stand together alone again in the landscape of political reality as our 'event' moves along the political and media agenda."

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government was 'engaging with the communities and campaigners' affected by the Birmingham pub bombings - but declined to commit to an inquiry. Speaking to BBC WM, he said: "We are engaging with the communities and campaigners, it's very important that we do, and we'll listen to what they're asking for, and so we'll continue to engage with them."

Christopher Stanley, a litigation consultant at KRW LAW who is representing the group, said: "KRW continues to assist Justice for the 21. We are proud to do so.

"We made the application to government for a section 1 inquiry pursuant to the Inquiries Act 2005. The criteria for such an inquiry is public concern. Last week was a further demonstration of the depth of public concern regarding the continuing questions – which continue to accumulate – about the Birmingham Pub Bombings 1974.

"At this stage the relatives of the victims know that the political considerations outweigh any legal considerations. This was made clear last week when the government did not establish an inquiry.

"Arguments about being a 'new' government, about 'too many inquiries', 'about cost' and about the 'Legacy of the Conflict' can all be countered. Justice for the 21 have made those points to politicians. The matter is 'live' within the Home Office – it was before the election and it is now. Civil Servants and Special Advisors know the arguments. The rest now is politics."