Birmingham pub bombings hearing takes place

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Prison Service and the Met Police will be asked for any relevant information into the Birmingham pub bombings.

Twenty-one people died and over 180 were injured after bombs exploded in two Birmingham pubs in November 1974.

A pre-inquest hearing heard today that the inquests will look at whether the state breached obligations to protect human life.

The Home Office, Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence have also been asked for any relevant information but nothing has been found.

The inquests will be an Article Two inquest exploring the question of 'by what means and in what circumstances' did a person lose their life.

A jury will be summoned for the inquests which are due to begin towards the end of September.

The next pre-inquest hearing will take place on Wednesday 31 May.

Some of the families of the 21 victims are attending a pre-inquest review hearing taking place in Birmingham Civil Justice Centre.

Coroner Peter Thornton says the objective today is to consider the scope of the inquests which will be "independant and thorough".

The families are expecting an update on funding, as well as more information on what will be released to the inquests expected to take place in late September.