Guildford pub bomb police accused of running down the clock

Home Secretary Roy Jenkins and Commander Bob Huntley of the Scotland Yard bomb squad went to the site of the explosion at the Horse and Groom pub

Police who have fresh evidence on a 1974 IRA bombing have been accused of "running down the clock" as a new bill looms which will shield perpetrators.

Families of victims of the Guildford pub attack have been told Surrey Police "identified a potential forensic line".

However, lawyers say police will not launch an inquiry before the Northern Ireland Legacy Act comes in on May 1.

Surrey Police said officers had visited the families of the victims and clearly set out the force's position.

Officers have been accused by KRW Law, which is representing the family of victim Ann Hamilton, of waiting for "uncomfortable matters" to be "lifted like a heavy burden."

'We need answers'

The Northern Ireland Legacy Act will see a new commission take over cases relating to the conflict.

KRW Law said that while police had new evidence which they would not investigate - officers had already approached the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

Cassandra Hamilton, Ann Hamilton's sister, who has previously called for the police to investigate, said it was not known what the new lead was, but she said: "We need answers."

KRW Law said Surrey Police notified the family in an email on 17 April that the force had made contact with the ICRIR regarding the process for families.

The Belfast firm wrote to Surrey Police Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp on Tuesday and asked him to clarify how the contact was made and why, as the commission is not officially established until next month.

(Clockwise from top left) Paul Craig, 21, Caroline Slater, 18, John Hunter, 17, William Forsyth, 18, Ann Hamilton, 19, died in an explosion at the Horse and Groom

Four soldiers and a civilian died in the blast in Guildford's Horse and Groom pub in October 1974. Another bomb detonated 30 minutes later at the Seven Stars.

Those who died were 21-year-old civilian Paul Craig and soldiers Ann Hamilton, 19, Caroline Slater, 18, William Forsyth, 18, and John Hunter, 17. Sixty-five people were injured.

The Guildford Four and Maguire Seven were wrongly-convicted for the attacks in what became one of the UK's biggest miscarriages of justice.

An IRA terror cell later later claimed responsibility.

However, after the wrongly-jailed were freed, no-one else was prosecuted.

Wrongly convicted Gerry Conlon, Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson served 15 years in jail

Lawyers said there were serious concerns over the criminal investigations carried out by Surrey Police into the Guildford pub bombings since 1974, and that Surrey Police had obligations over the unexplained "new" evidential line of inquiry.

A KRW Law spokesman said: "Surrey Police appear to be waiting for these difficult and uncomfortable matters and questions and concerns to lifted like a heavy burden on 1 May 2024 when the contested and opposed Legacy Act 2024 comes into force."

Daniel Holder, director of Belfast-based human rights group the Committee on the Administration of Justice, said: "On 1 May, the Legacy Act will close down existing mechanisms dealing with Troubles cases at a time they are increasingly delivering for victims.

"Until that point however, police services and other public authorities are still duty-bound to do their jobs, and deliver for families.

"Unfortunately, we have however witnessed a worrying trend of trying to run down the clock. In this instance also, an irregular process appears to have been followed."

A Surrey Police spokeswoman said: "Surrey Police has personally visited the families of the five victims and hand-delivered a letter to them which clearly sets out the force's position.

"In addition, Surrey Police has provided the families with the contact details for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

"We remain committed to facilitating justice for the families of those who were killed in the 1974 Guildford bombings."

At the ICRIR, commissioner for investigations Peter Sheridan, said: "We cannot accept requests until 1 May and recently set out our annual plan for how we will begin our operations with a phased approach from 1 May."

After the BBC approached both the Home Office and the Northern Ireland Office, a government spokesman said: "The investigation into the Guildford pub bombing remains an operational matter for the police, and it would be inappropriate to comment any further."