“Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings. Half a century ago, 21 innocent lives were taken in two IRA bombs. Many others were left with life changing injuries.
“It remains a stain on our nation that no one has ever been brought to justice for the massacre. It is long past time for the Government to call a public inquiry into the events of that dreadful day. The campaign by Justice 4 the 21 spearheaded by Julie Hambleton, sister of Maxine Hambleton who was murdered in the bombings, deserves nothing less than the very basics which should be the norm in any country – a rigorous attempt to get to the truth about what happened and bring those responsible to justice.
“I am particularly pleased to see that parliamentary colleagues from Birmingham have signed my Early Day Motion. I trust they will lobby the Government hard on behalf of this just cause.”
The text of Mr Allister’s Early Day Motion reads:
That this House notes with real sadness the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings which took place on 21 November 1974 in which 21 people were killed and 220 injured, the most deadly terrorist attack on British soil and largest unsolved mass murder; further notes that it is widely recognised that, despite their never having accepted responsibility, this was a brutal act of IRA terrorism; praises the work of Julie Hambleton, sister of Maxine Hambleton who was killed in the bombings, in setting up Justice 4 the 21; and calls on the Government to honour the calls of Justice 4 the 21 for a public inquiry out of respect for the memories of the 21, all those who were injured, and their families.