Politicians’ absence at memorial ‘an insult’
JUSTICE4THE21 pub bombings campaigners have criticised Birmingham politicians for not attending last Monday’s memorial service.
The poignant event saw a wreath laying ceremony in the morning and a later gathering outside New Street Station.
But campaigners claim West Midlands Mayor Andy Street was the only politician to turn out to mark the 48th year since the IRA atrocity saw 21 people killed and 182 injured in two blasts.
Those missing included city council leader Ian Ward, Birmingham MPs and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who said he had not been invited.
Nicky Brennan, the council’s victims’ commissioner, was also absent – but stated she had also not been invited. She had spent the day promoting “safe places” for women to watch the World Cup in the city.
MPs who responded to the Birmingham Post said they had either sent their apologies ahead of the memorial, or were sitting in live parliament sessions. This year’s anniversary had an added poignancy after a new file on the Birmingham pub bombings was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Counter Terrorism Department.
Relatives of those killed turned out at the memorial event, despite torrential rain in the city. But Justice4the21 spokeswoman Julie Hambleton, who lost her sister Maxine in the attack, said of the politicians: “This is what really frustrates us... 21 souls of their own citizens were murdered. It’s an insult to us.”
A letter sent to the Birmingham Post from Justice4the21 supporter Gary Jordan also hit out at the attendance from local leaders. It read: “I was disgusted to find out that the only Birmingham politician in attendance at the Memorial Services at St Phillip’s Cathedral and New Street station memorial trees was West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
“The leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, all Birmingham MPs and the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, and his team of three were nowhere to be seen, missing in action.” But Cllr Ward said: “Unfortunately, longstanding diary commitments meant I was unable to attend Monday’s service. “I did, of course, mark Monday’s anniversary and, as someone who grew up in Birmingham and was living here back in 1974, will always pay my respects to the victims.
“I have previously spoken at a number of events in memory of the victims, including the unveiling of the new memorial outside New Street station.”
The Birmingham Post contacted every MP that Justice4the21 claimed did not attend.
Of those who replied, all said they were sitting in parliament and took the time to mark the tragic anniversary.
This is what really frustrates us. 21 souls of their own citizens were murdered. It’s an insult to us. Julie Hambleton