Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“I greatly welcome the reopening of the inquests into the murders of 21 people in the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings. The judge’s comments about the failings of West Midlands Police and the wealth of evidence which has never been heard are deeply troubling.
“Those who have kept the pressure on the powers that be deserve enormous credit. It is a sad indictment of our country that the families of the murdered had to campaign so hard for so long to arrive at this point.
“I would particularly congratulate Julie Hambleton for the courageous way in which she has spoken out. I know many people were deeply moved when she addressed our party conference on the loss of her sister Maxine and the decades long fight for justice which followed.
“It is a national scandal that, as with the Kingsmills case in our Province, it took pressure from the victims for the state to perform one of its most basic duty to its citizens.
“I look forward to the families receiving a greater insight into the events of that dreadful day and hope that they will ultimately see those responsible for this dreadful atrocity held to account for their crimes.”