25 years ago

The Birmingham Six are expected to walk free within weeks – after 17 years of protesting their innocence. In a dramatic statement in the Court of Appeal yesterday, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions said he would no longer continue to claim their convictions were “safe and satisfactory”. Despite the joy of their families and friends, there was no immediate release from prison for the six Irishmen. They must wait for the full appeal hearing next week.