'We just want the truth!' Sister of Birmingham pub bombing victim accuses Labour of 'two-tier justice' after its refusal to launch inquiry into 1974 attack

Nov 2, 2025 - 09:05

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'We just want the truth!' Sister of Birmingham pub bombing victim accuses Labour of 'two-tier justice' after its refusal to launch inquiry into 1974 attack

The sister of one of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombing has accused the Government of "two-tier justice" after Labour refused to launch an inquiry into the 1974 attack.

Fifty years ago, 21 people died in the horrific attack along with 220 injured after bombs exploded at the Mulberry Bush and the The Tavern in the Town on November 21.

The Birmingham Six were subsequently wrongly jailed yet no one has since been arrested or brought to justice for the atrocity.

To this day, the brutal attack is one of the deadliest acts to take place in Britain.

This week, Security Minister Dan Jarvis confirmed that after careful consideration, the Home Office would not commit to an inquiry.

Mr Jarvis explained it was the Government's "firm belief" the current Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery would be effective.

Now, Julie Hambleton spoke with GB News's Charlie Peters and Olivia Utley, whose sister, Maxine, tragically lost her life in the attack.

"All the families are clearly outraged, disappointed and saddened because the commission that they're trying to push us down has absolutely no independence whatsoever," Ms Hambleton said.

Charlie asked whether Ms Hambleton believed this to be another example of two-tier justice, she agreed.

"That is absolutely correct," the campaigner concurred.

"We've been ignored, treated with contempt and totally and utterly dismissed by every single Government institution and the senior management at West Midlands Police over the years."

She said "the highest office in the land", the Home Office, is "implicated" in the case, causing concern for the Justice4The21 campaigner.

"What we want is the truth," Ms Hambleton pleaded. "We don't want money. We don't want an apology. All we want is the truth."

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The victims' families and loved ones have been informed by British establishments that "they have absolutely no files or documentation" on the case, which remains England's longest unsolved mass murder of the 20th century.

"But now all of a sudden, they want to scoop us up Into this Legacy Act and the Information Commission to share files that we've been told don't exist," Mrs Hambleton queried.

With the lack of independence concerned in the Commission, it would be "tantamount to the Government marking its own homework", echoing current criticism of the National Inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal.

She added: "One of our followers, a fantastic lady called Lorna, said by refusing us an inquiry, the Government has chosen political comfort over principle and secrecy over sunlight.

"It has told us the families, in effect, that our pain, loss, grief and continued injustice is expendable. Their truth is too inconvenient.

"And that's exactly what we're faced with. And that is incredibly powerful."

Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, has since said that he would attempt to reform the commission to ensure that the families of the victims are heard.

However, this has not brought comfort to Ms Hambleton, who said: "The commission is a complete and utter scam. It's a whitewash. It gives the Government total control over the narrative."

She claimed that a "public inquiry is the only way forward" as it compels witnesses to provide evidence, ensuring that the commission is not a "whitewash".

A Government spokesman said: "We have full confidence in the Commission's team of experienced and dedicated staff, who are already investigating over 100 cases, including into the Guildford pub bombings.

"We recently introduced new legislation to strengthen the Commission’s powers and its ability to find the truth for families, and to remove the last Government’s scheme that would have enabled immunity for terrorists."

A Government spokesman added: "Our deepest sympathies remain with all those who were left bereaved by the horrific pub bombings in Birmingham in 1974, as well as those survivors left with life-changing injuries.

"We know they are looking for answers and we are committed to helping them in this search for truth.

"We believe the most appropriate route to pursue this is through the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which is already investigating over 100 Troubles-related cases and will be strengthened by the Troubles Bill."

Meanwhile, an ICRIR spokesman said: "The Commission does not routinely comment on specific cases.

"The Courts in Northern Ireland have recognised that the Commission is an appropriately independent public authority, both operationally and organisationally.

"We respect people’s choices about whether they come to the Commission and our door will always remain open to all. The Commission is dedicated to finding answers for all those who seek our help.

"We will continue this work for the over 220 individuals who have already come to us in their quest for truth and justice."

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