Summary

  • Thursday marks the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings

  • Throughout the day memorial events are being held across the city, including a one-minute silence at 14:00 GMT

  • The Duchess of Edinburgh read a message from the King, in which he said: "Your exceptional strength of spirit and resolve has truly embodied this wonderful city's elemental motto: Forward"

  • Labour MP Jess Phillips read out the names of all the victims following the silence, which she says is a "real honour"

  • The blasts killed 21 people and injured another 220

  • It is one of the largest unsolved mass murders in British history

Live Reporting

By Susie Rack, Tanya Gupta, Josh Sandiford and Tom Darby

  1. West Midlands Mayor to seek justice for the 21

    Trish Adudu
    BBC Radio WM

    A man with grey hair, dark framed glasses and a navy suit jacket and white shirt. He is standing in front of a canal, with low-rise buildings along its bank.

    West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker says he will explore every avenue to achieve justice for the families of the 21 pub bombing victims.

    Parker attended the earlier service next to Birmingham New Street station alongside the Duchess of Edinburgh, dignitaries, bereaved families and community members.

    He will also be going to a memorial service at Birmingham Cathedral which starts at 17:00 GMT.

    "I wanted to go today to support the families. I support their quest for truth and justice," he says.

    The Labour mayor is due to meet the government's security minister soon and said he would ask a series of questions about the statutory public inquiry families have called for.

    "I want to ensure that we don’t close off other avenues that can secure the answers to the questions, the very valid questions and justice that the families deserve," he says.

    "I hope and I believe that Keir Starmer the Prime Minister [will] do his very best for the families of those who lost their lives 50 years ago."

    Parker met with victims' families shortly after he was elected in May and described it as a "positive and constructive" conversation.

  2. I have a hole in my knee from the blast - survivor

    Vic Minett
    BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

    A faded photo of woman in a white t-shirt and blue shorts with short brown hair, smiling at the camera. She is reclining on a seat in a room with various bottles and cushions around her.Diane Slater

    Diane Slater still has a hole in her knee from surviving the Mulberry Bush bombing

    Diane Slater, from Rugby, Warwickshire, was 16 when she was caught up in the pub bombings.

    She had just moved to Birmingham for work and was enjoying her newfound freedom.

    On November 21 1974, she met friends in the Mulberry Bush for a drink.

    Just after 20:00 GMT she remembers "a loud bang and blast of air".

    Confused and disorientated, she remembers climbing over rubble to escape.

    Only once she had found her way to safety did she realise the gravity of her injuries.

    A woman with short light brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a red top and sitting in front of white slatted blinds.Diane Slater

    Diane says the anniversary of the bombings brings back traumatic memories

    She still has a hole in her right knee, where muscle and ligament was destroyed. All her toes had to be sewn back onto her left foot.

    "We were all very lucky, our wounds were superficial," she says.

    "Others lost their lives."

    Listen to her story here.

  3. Aston Villa remember the 21 bombing victims

    A black and white image of people standing still on a football pitch. There are about 23 people in the picture, dressed in tracksuits, standing with arms behind their backs. The photo is taken from ground level and floodlights, stand and tall flags can be seen.Aston Villa FC

    Aston Villa Women took a moment out of training to remember the 21 victims

    Aston Villa FC marked the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings by announcing plans to unveil a permanent memorial to the 21 victims.

    In a Facebook post, the club said its thoughts were with bereaved families and all others affected by the tragedy.

    It also encouraged its supporters to observe the minute's silence held earlier today at 14:00 GMT.

    The women's team posted a photo on X of players taking a break to remember lost lives.

    A big screen with Aston Villa's club badge and a caption underneath reading: Remembering those lost. 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings. Stadium stands can be seen to the rightAston Villa FC

    In addition, a minute's applause is planned for half-time during Saturday's match against Crystal Palace at Villa Park, while victims' names are displayed on the big screens.

    Bereaved family members will be pitch-side during the applause, the club said.

    It plans to unveil the memorial early next year as part of a150th anniversary wall on which fans can purchase personalised plaques.

  4. What I've learned from covering the bombings

    James Bovill
    BBC News, West Midlands

    I’ve been covering the Birmingham pub bombings for more than a decade. My parents were 19 in 1974 and decided to go home instead of to the Tavern in the Town on the night of the bombings.

    So many Brummies who were young at the time seem to have similar sliding doors moments.

    I’ve met many survivors and victims’ families over the last 10 years, who’ll no doubt be feeling a whole wave of emotions today.

    Some I’ve spoken to have made peace with what happened and accept that justice may never be done.

    Others won’t rest until they’ve done all they can to force the authorities to find those responsible for 21 unlawful deaths.

    So while today will, of course, be about remembering those who were killed and the hundreds who survived with physical and mental scars, attention will inevitably turn to why no-one, in 50 years, has successfully been prosecuted for the UK’s largest unsolved mass murder.

  5. More emotion to come

    Josh Sandiford
    BBC News, in Birmingham

    Sully wearing a blue hat a warm coat and a Birmingham pub bombings jumper. There are people in hi-vis behind him and some flowers.

    Sully came to Birmingham today because he wanted to support the Justice for the 21 campaign.

    "We're here every year but this one is special," he said. "There's lots more people because it's the 50th anniversary."

    He said it was a emotional day that was going to get more emotional still, referring to today's second event at Birmingham Cathedral.

    That service is due to start about 17:00 GMT and will be open to members of the public.

  6. Football rivals never thought they would be friends

    Josh Sandiford
    BBC News, in Birmingham

    Gary Booth and and Michael Sefton. They are both wearing blue jackets and have badges on.

    Gary Booth and and Michael Sefton support rival football teams

    This is Gary Booth and and Michael Sefton.

    They support Aston Villa and Birmingham City respectively and should be bitter rivals.

    In fact, they told me they never thought they would ever be friends - but were brought together by their campaigning on behalf of the 21 families.

    "I've become friends with people I never thought I'd be friends with, like Gary," Mr Sefton said.

    "Now we're buddies."

  7. Football club silence remembers all those affected

    Birmingham City Football Club has tweeted pictures of players taking part in the one-minute silence that took place earlier.

    The club said: "Birmingham City remembers all those affected by the tragic Birmingham pub bombings that took place 50 years ago today."

    Players taking part in the one-minute silence at the clubBirmingham City Football Club

    A one-minute silence was held with people taking part across the city

    Players taking part in the one-minute silence at the clubBirmingham City Football Club

    The club joined the memorial and fans laid wreaths at the service

  8. 'People need to learn what happened'

    Josh Sandiford
    BBC News, in Birmingham

    Matt Glover laying his wreath at Birmingham New Street. He has his arms stretched out and you can see the wreath.

    Matt Glover laying his wreath at Birmingham New Street

    Matt Glover, seen here laying a wreath at Birmingham New Street, says he started supporting families more than a decade ago.

    The friend of campaigner Julie Hambleton says it is a very emotional day and he knows personally how much relatives have suffered.

    He feels it is important those in the city continue to educate themselves about what happened and that those connected to the bombings get justice.

    "It was 50 years ago," he said. "People need to learn what happened and who did it and they need to know the names and faces of those who lost their lives."

  9. In pictures: Emotions run high at memorial service

    A memorial service for invited guests led to emotional scenes from many attendees.

    Jess Phillips is seen holding back tears at the serviceAdam Vaughan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    Jess Phillips, who read out the names of those who died with former mayor Andy Street, is seen holding back tears

    Julie Hambleton and another campaigner in a hug at the eventPA Media

    Julie Hambleton, who lost her sister Maxine, has campaigned for decades for justice after founding Justice for the 21

    Flowers and wreaths laid in memory of those who diedAdam Vaughan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    Flowers and wreaths were laid in memory of those who died, at the service near New Street station

    A woman and a child carrying white roses, with people gathered behind a red cordonPA Media

    Members of the public laid roses at the service, which had music and words from the community

    The Duchess of Edinburgh arrives at the eventAdam Vaughan/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    The Duchess of Edinburgh joined the service and the one-minute silence before reading a message from the King

    Crowds attending the service with a view of the city behind themPA Media

    Crowds gathered outside to take part in the service near New Street station

  10. Birmingham's Lord Mayor lays memorial wreath

    A man and woman crouch at the foot of a stone plinth to lay a wreath of purple, red, yellow and white flowers. Both are dressed in black, with mayoral chains around their necks. In the background a woman dressed in a black coat and hat can also be seen.Birmingham City Council

    Birmingham's Lord Mayor Ken Wood has laid a wreath at a memorial to the 21 pub bombings victims in the grounds of the city's cathedral.

    Writing on X he says: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those lost.

    "This morning, as every year, we lay a wreath. We will not forget them."

    A black memorial plaque framed in gold, with gold writing, on a stone plinth. Two floral wreaths lie at the bottom of it. The wreath on the left is green, orange, white and red. the other is red, purple, yellow and green. Grass surrounds the plinth, with an adjacent path and fencing.Birmingham City Council

  11. Families have waited too long, Home Secretary told

    A Birmingham MP has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to ask what steps will be taken to secure justice for victims and their families who, she says, have "waited far too long for the answers they deserve".

    Erdington's Labour MP Paulette Hamilton says in her letter that MPs from across Birmingham earlier this year came together in support of a Section 1 Inquiry - which is an inquiry established by the government - into the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings.

    She says she and colleagues have signed an early day motion also calling for an inquiry.

    "I am therefore asking the government to outline what steps will now be taken," she wrote.

    Ms Hamilton asked for a response at the earliest opportunity.

    An extract of the MP's letter to the Home Secretary

  12. Early day motion backs plea for public inquiry

    An early day motion, tabled on Monday, a few days before the 50th anniversary, has been signed by seven MPs so far from five political parties, including Labour, Conservative, Independent and Unionist members.

    It praises the work of Julie Hambleton, sister of Maxine Hambleton who died in the bombings, in setting up the Justice for the 21 campaign.

    The motion has called on the government to "honour the calls of Justice for the 21 for a public inquiry out of respect for the memories of the 21, all those who were injured, and their families".

    Screen grab of the early day motion submitted on 18 November 2024

  13. Families deserve answers - city council leader

    Kath Stancyzszyn
    BBC Radio WM

    A man in a grey flecked coat, with a pink shirt and purple tie. He is wearing glasses and has light brown hair. he is standing in a cafe. In the background other men in dark coats can be seen chatting. There are festive decorations around the edge of the cafe, which has a wall of windows and pendant lights hanging from the ceiling.

    Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton says the pub bombings "cast a long shadow" over the city.

    “Growing up in Birmingham during the 1970s and 1980s the legacy of that terrible night was certainly felt very tangibly and that's continued to this day.”

    He believes coming together to honour the loss of live should continue long term.

    "I think as time passes, acts of remembrance and memorial become even more important, because we have to keep that story alive and remember the consequence of what happens when terrorism takes hold and how important it is to stand together as communities against those who want to divide us," he says.

    Cotton has pledged to keep pushing for a full public inquiry into what happened.

    "I’ve always thought that the families deserve answers, the city deserves answers," he says.

    "I think people do need to understand what happened here."

  14. Service concludes with poem and song performances

    Spoken word artist Joe Cook has read a poem, Our 21 Loved Ones, written to mark the anniversary of the bombings.

    The service is concluding with another performance from Bishop Challoner Catholic College pupils.

    They are singing A Song of Hope, a piece of music specially commissioned by BBC Radio WM.

    The project has been led by music teacher and musician Katie Stevens and Marian Dwyer, who teaches traditional Irish music classes at the school and also chairs the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Birmingham.

  15. Father's fighting spirit behind search for truth

    Paul Bridgewater, whose father was 17 at the time of the bombings, was not born when he died.

    He said: "Losing my dad before I was born makes me reflect on the things I missed out on, but also the things he missed out on."

    He said his father never met his son, his granddaughter, or his great-granddaughters.

    Mr Bridgewater said: "I never met my dad but I feel this. His fighting spirit lives on in me.

    "And I hope he would be proud of the man I am and how we are still fighting for truth, justice and for the 21 who sadly lost their lives and the many others injured and affected by the tragic events on that fateful night, 50 years ago.

    "My dad died too young and missed out on so much, which is why we must never forget the 21 and make every effort to find out the truth about the Birmingham pub bombings."

  16. Irish president pays tribute to victims' families

    Michael D Higgins. He is balding, with white hair, rimless glasses. He is wearing a dark suit, white shirt and plum tie.PA Media

    The Irish ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, read a message from the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

    The president said he remembered the 21 dead "with deep sadness", calling the bombings a shocking event, "uniting our two countries in horror and in mourning."

    "My thoughts are with the families on the anniversary of what was a horrific loss, the brunt of which was carried by them".

    He stressed the importance of remembering the injured, whose "pain and suffering" continued.

    "The quest for truth and justice for those killed and injured has been a source of further pain, compounding as it does the anguish of those left behind," the president said.

    The message added that he had been struck by the "resilient bonds of friendship" that endured between Brummie and Irish communities when he visited on the 45th anniversary.

    "May I pay tribute to the organisers of today's commemorative event as an example of the reconciliation that is possible between communities that have witnessed some of the darkest moments of our shared history," he said.

    "I sincerely hope that all those involved in addressing the painful legacy of the Troubles can summon the spirit of understanding in the story of our shared journey towards peace and reconciliation that you all here today have so courageously demonstrated."

  17. Lord Mayor pays tribute to families

    Lord Mayor of Birmingham Ken Wood says on the night, "the Brummie spirit" was displayed in abundance.

    He paid tribute to emergency workers on the front line, doctors and nurses who treated injured victims, taxi drivers and everyday Brummies who rushed to help.

    He paid tribute to bereaved families.

    "We can only image the pain they continue to endure," he said.

  18. King praises courage, spirit and resolve in city

    Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, gives a speech standing in front of three microphones. She is wearing a green coatPA Media

    Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, delivered the King's message

    The King's message in full:

    "As you come together to mark 50 years since the terrible events of 21st November 1974, my wife and I would like to take this opportunity to say that you and all those affected by this dreadful attack remain very much in our thoughts.

    "Today, we remember the 21 people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously.

    "We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to their aid.

    "What happened on this day 50 years ago was one of so many dreadful tragedies in a devastating period that touched us all, many of us very personally.

    "To see the brave strides forward that have since been made towards lasting peace and meaningful reconciliation, and the close bonds of love and friendship which now bind this city together, makes me exceptionally proud and thankful.

    "I must also express my sincere admiration for you, the people of Birmingham, who have lived so courageously with the grief of that day and the days that followed.

    "Your exceptional strength of spirit and resolve has truly embodied this wonderful city's elemental motto: Forward.

    "I'm very sorry that I cannot be with you all today, but my thoughts, prayers and very best wishes remain with you all, as you mark this saddest of days."

  19. Prayers read by Archbishop and Bishop of Birmingham

    Prayers have been read by the Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Reverend Doctor Michael Volland, and Archbishop, the most Reverend Bernard Longley.

    The prayers called for strength in standing against wickedness and working towards a city of love, peace and justice.

    They read together the words: "Help us who today remember the cost of terrorism, to work for a better tomorrow."

  20. Tribute to the dead and those who rushed to help

    The King's message has said: "As you come together to mark 50 years since the terrible events of 21st November 1974, my wife and I would like to take this opportunity to say that you and all those affected by this dreadful attack remain very much in our thoughts.

    "Today we remember the 21 people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously.

    "We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to their aid."