Relative of Birmingham Pub Bombings Victim Pledges Ongoing Fight for Answers

The son of a victim of the Birmingham pub bombings, which occurred five decades ago, has stated that numerous questions regarding the incidents remain unresolved. Paul Davies was among the 21 individuals who lost their lives when two explosive devices devastated the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs in the city during November 1974, leaving 220 additional people wounded. Paul Bridgewater, born three months subsequent to the events, recounted that his mother, who was youthful when the bombings took place, “never really got over it”. Demands from campaigners for a public inquiry have grown stronger since a determination in 2023 to forgo criminal prosecutions after a new investigation. To date, no individuals have faced criminal conviction, nor has anyone claimed accountability, though the IRA is widely thought to have been responsible for the bombings. A recently launched BBC podcast delves into the events of that evening and the subsequent five decades. While six individuals, identified as the Birmingham Six, were convicted in 1975, their convictions were later overturned in 1991. He recalled, “At the time, we always thought it was the Birmingham Six that did it, so growing up up at school it was ‘your dad died in the the pub bombings, it was the IRA’.” He further stated, “Gradually as I got older I started to get more interested in it.” Following the acquittal of the Birmingham Six, he expressed feeling “a big void”. He additionally remarked, “As a kid, knowing I didn’t have my father around, it just had a massive impact and my mum, she’s never really got over and it has been nearly 50 years now.” He asserted that an investigation represented the sole avenue for him and fellow activists to obtain the necessary answers, affirming his unwavering commitment. He declared, “There are loads of questions we need answering. Loads.” Mr. Bridgewater emphasized the significance of continuing discussions about the events to “keep it relevant to a wider audience”. He stated, “We have been campaigning for a long time with the Justice for the 21 group, and campaigning with our legal team to basically get an inquiry.” He continued, “This is a journey. I will never give up and and none of my family members will ever ever give up.” He added, “My daughter will take on that baton when I can no longer do do it.” He concluded, “I do not think it is a lot to ask – it’s 50 years and we still do not have have the facts.” He mentioned that discussions had occurred with numerous representatives from the Home Office throughout the years, yet these had produced no tangible results. He explained, “You get to a point and then someone changes and you’re starting again so it’s like like a stumbling block and you start again.” Nevertheless, he indicated that ongoing discussions offered a basis for his continued optimism. The podcast titled “The Pub Bombings” is currently accessible for listening on BBC Sounds. BBC Birmingham can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. This report was compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an entity that covers local authorities and other public sector bodies. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.