A 65-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murders of 21 people in the 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham.
Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands, working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, detained the suspect in Belfast today.
The man was arrested under the Terrorism Act and a search of his home was being carried out. He will be interviewed under caution at a Northern Ireland police station.
Last month it emerged Priti Patel was considering a public inquiry to find the truth behind the bombings at Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town.
Last year five suspects – two still alive – were named at an inquest which revealed a series of police blunders and concluded the victims were murdered by the IRA.
In 1975, six men – the Birmingham Six – were convicted over the blasts but acquitted 16 years later. The attacks remain Britain’s largest unsolved terror crime.
Firemen at work following the bomb attacks in Birmingham city centre that targeted the Mulberry Bush pub and the Tavern in the Town
The Birmingham pub bombing victims: (top row, left to right) Michael Beasley, 30, Stan Bodman, 47, James Craig, 34, Paul Davies, 17, Trevor Thrupp, 33, Desmond Reilly, 20 and James Caddick, 40, (second row, left to right) Maxine Hambleton, 18, Jane Davis, 17, Maureen Roberts, 20, Lynn Bennett, 18, Anne Hayes, 18, Marilyn Nash, 22 and Pamela Palmer, 19, (bottom row, left to right) Thomas Chaytor, 28, Eugene Reilly, 23, Stephen Whalley, 21, John Rowlands, 46, John ‘Cliff’ Jones, 51, Charles Gray, 44, and Neil Marsh, 16 (no picture available)
West Midlands Police said that the suspect was held by counter-terror officers in Belfast.
The force said in a statement: ‘A man has been arrested in connection with inquiries into the murders of 21 people in the 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham.
‘Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands CTU, working with colleagues from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, arrested a 65-year-old man at his home in Belfast today.
‘The man was arrested under the Terrorism Act and a search of his home is being carried out.’
The statement added: ‘He will be interviewed under caution at a police station in Northern Ireland.’
Last month it emerged Priti Patel was considering calls for a public inquiry to establish the truth behind the bombings.
The Home Secretary signalled her desire to meet the families of victims who have campaigned for decades to bring those responsible for the 1974 atrocity to justice.
Five suspects were named at an inquest last year, which revealed a series of police blunders and concluded the victims were murdered by the IRA.
Last month it emerged Priti Patel was considering calls for a public inquiry to establish the truth behind the Birmingham pub bombings
Ms Patel was considering an independent panel inquiry similar to the hearing into the Hillsborough football stadium disaster.
A source close to Ms Patel told the Mail: ‘She recognises the desire of the victims’ families and the wider community to see those responsible brought to justice.’
Relatives hope two alleged suspects – Michael Hayes and Michael Reilly – will face trial.
In 1975, six men, who became known as the Birmingham Six, were convicted over the blasts but their convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal 16 years later.
The attack saw two bombs detonate within minutes at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town pubs in Birmingham city centre in November 1974.
Many of the victims were young. Last year’s inquest concluded a warning call seven minutes before the first blast was ‘inadequate’ to prevent the huge loss of life.
West Midlands Police was also criticised for its bungled investigation into the Birmingham Six and its response on the night.
Mr Hayes, 71, lives in Dublin. Mr Reilly, 64, who was named by lawyers for the victims’ families as responsible for planting the bombs, served a ten-year sentence for conspiracy and causing explosions related to other IRA bombings.
He was last known to be living in Belfast. Both men deny any involvement in the Birmingham attacks.
An IRA atrocity and 44 years of heartbreak for victims’ families
Thursday, November 21, 1974: Bombings in two Birmingham pubs leave 21 dead and 220 injured. They are said to be revenge for the death of IRA member James McDade, who blew himself up trying to plant explosives in Coventry. Hours later, five men are arrested in Heysham, Lancashire, and a sixth is arrested in Birmingham.
November 24: Patrick Hill, Hugh Callaghan, John Walker, Richard McIlkenny, Gerard Hunter and Billy Power are charged with murder.
June/August 1975: Trial at Lancaster Crown Court. ‘The Six’ are sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Birmingham Six outside the Old Bailey in London, after their convictions were quashed. Left-right: John Walker, Paddy Hill. Hugh Callaghan, Chris Mullen MP, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power.
October 1985: TV’s World In Action questions forensic tests. A book is then published claiming three unnamed men were behind the bombings.
January 1987: The home secretary refers case to the Court of Appeal. The appeal is later dismissed. A 1990 TV drama then names four ‘real’ bombers.
March 14, 1991: The Six are freed by the Court of Appeal after 16 years in prison.
October 1993: Perjury case against three former West Midlands police involved in the charging of the Birmingham Six is dismissed.
June 1, 2016: Senior coroner for Birmingham rules to resume the inquests. The original hearings were not continued after jailing of The Six.
September 29, 2018: Families lose their legal battle to name those responsible for the bombings in the inquests
February 25, 2019: The inquest into the 21 deaths opens in Birmingham.