Birmingham pub bombings – Man arrested in Belfast over murder of 21 people killed in 1974 IRA blast

Jurors who sat for almost six weeks heard evidence from an ex-IRA member, who named the four men he claims were responsible for the deadly blasts - with the blessing of IRA leaders.

The men were Seamus McLoughlan - the commander of the Birmingham IRA at the time - Mick Murray and Michael Hayes, who were part of the bombing team, and James Gavin.

Murray, McLoughlan and Gavin have all since died and the anonymous man - named only as Witness O - claimed that Hayes has protection from prosecution following the peace process.

The first device exploded at the Mulberry Bush at 8.17pm - just six minutes after a warning call was phoned in to various newspapers in Birmingham.

It tore through the pub, blowing a crater measuring 40 inches into the concrete floor and killing ten people instantly.

As emergency crews frantically worked to evacuate the area, a second blast hit the Tavern in the Town.

Nine people were injured, with another two later dying from their injuries.

A third device was later found outside Barclays Bank at 9.15pm. The explosive hadn't been detonated.

News of today's arrest comes just a month after Home Secretary Priti Patel said she'd consider holding a public inquiry into the bombings.

Ms Patel also said she wanted to visit Birmingham to meet justice campaigners, including Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died.

It's welcome news. It's overwhelming news. It's tangible progress.

Julie Hambleton

Ms Hambleton said this afternoon the arrest is "the most monumental event" in the investigation.

When she was telephoned by a senior West Midlands Police officer with news of the arrest on Wednesday, she told of how she broke down in tears.

"I couldn't speak, I was just inconsolable and was just looking at the picture of Maxine," she said.

"It's welcome news. It's overwhelming news. It's tangible progress."

In 2018, ITV documentary makers revealed the name of a former IRA bomber who had a suspected role in the blasts.

The man, who cannot be named on websites read in Northern Ireland, was approached by investigative reporter John Ware as he left a Tesco in Belfast.

But he told The Hunt For The Birmingham Bombers: "I've got nothing to say... Well, you can ask what you want but I'm not going to answer.

"You're wasting your time."

And his solicitor added: "Our client denies all the allegations and does not intend to respond any further to the unfounded allegations you have made."

The horrific bombings remained Britain's largest unsolved terror crime, with a botched investigation by West Midlands Police leading to the 1975 convictions of the Birmingham Six.

These were quashed by the Court of Appeal 16 years later following fresh evidence and the men were released from jail.

Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny and Billy Power's convictions have been called 'one of the worst miscarriages of justice seen in Britain'.

Ms Hambleton, who is part of campaign group Justice for the 21 and has fought for justice for 40 years, said today: "Having this development - whatever happens - does not in any way lessen our desire for a full public inquiry to be held.

"There are wider issues which need to be examined, and so much that went wrong, like why six men were arrested for a crime they didn't commit."

She said victims' families haven't been told who the arrested man is, but added: "We pray it is a step forward in the right direction.

"This is the first person to be arrested since the Birmingham Six walked free and they will also want to see justice served more than anybody."