Birmingham pub bomb suspects may be ‘named and shamed’

INDIVIDUALS suspected of planting the Birmingham pub bombings devices could be “named and shamed” in evidence at forthcoming inquests into the victims’ deaths.

Hearing legal submissions from the victims’ families’ lawyers, city coroner Peter Thornton, QC, responded: “They can be, as it were, named and shamed in the press without restraint?

Heather Williams, QC, the lawyer for the family of Eugene and Desmond Reilly, two brothers killed in one of the blasts in 1974, made submissions that the inquest should include evidence about any potential perpetrators.

It was also

suggested inquest evidence could include what Mr Thornton called “relevant evidence” which led to the conviction of the Birmingham Six.

They later had their convictions overturned.

The hearings, expected to start in September, will explore the circumstances of the deaths of 21 people killed in the IRA bombings of two pubs in 1974.

A pre-inquest review hearing is due to take place later this month.