Pub bomb families halt appeal for campaign cash
CAMPAIGNING pub bombing families have called a halt to their fundraising to pay for a crunch court hearing – and will instead apply for legal aid.
The change in tactic by Justice4the21 campaigners comes after the group raised just short of £18,000. They need in excess of £50,000 to fund a judicial review into a decision by coroner Sir Peter Turner to exclude the identity of the bombers from the scope of new inquests into the deaths of the 21 victims.
Permission has now been granted for the review in the High Court, and this has been scheduled for December.
In a statement on its crowd-funding website, the group said: “To all our incredible supporters. We were delighted to achieve the amount we needed to secure permission to judicially review the ruling on scope of the Birmingham pub bombings inquest made by the Coroner.
“We wish to thank all those who pledged and have given support. Having been given permission, it is clear the judiciary see merit in this judicial review.
“Therefore, in light of this, our legal team will be applying for legal aid as this challenge is a matter of wider public interest.
“Because of this, we are asking Crowd Justice to close request for support now.
“On behalf of all the families, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who have pledged your hardearned money to help us fight for those who are not here to do so themselves. the current
“Please accept heartfelt thanks.”
Campaigners collected almost £3,000 from Blues and Villa fans attending the derby clash at St Andrew’s, where both sets of supporter also used the 21st minute to unite in applause. IRA bombers struck in Birmingham on November 21, 1974. our sincere and