Coroner to consider case to re-open pub bombings inquest

A coroner will today hear a petition from relatives of the victims of the Birmingham Pub Bombings Credit: PA

A coroner will today hear a petition from relatives of people who died in the Birmingham Pub Bombings to re-open the original inquest which was adjourned in 1974.

Twenty one people were killed and 182 injured when the suspected IRA bombs exploded in two city centre pubs on November 21, 1974.

Six men wrongly convicted of the murders - the Birmingham Six - were released in 1991 after their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal.

Last March, campaigners calling for a fresh inquest into their deaths met with the Home Secretary to take their fight further.

Maxine Hambleton was killed in the bombings Credit: ITV News Central

A senior Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull Coroner's Court will today hear evidence from the lawyers representing the families of Maxine Hambleton, Trevor Thrupp and James Craig.

A decision is expected to be made on Feb 24th.