Victims of Injustice
The release of the Guildford Four on October 19th, 1989 was an important breakthrough for the case of the six men convicted of the Birmingham pub bombings. The Birmingham Six still profess their innocence of the one of the worst atrocities in recent British history, along with growing popular support for their case. They claim that they were subjected to inhumane beatings whilst in Police custody in order to force them into signing false confessions.
Lord Denning, dismissing the men’s 1980 civil action against the police, said, “If the six men win, it will mean that the police were guilty of perjury, that they were guilty of violence and threats, that the confessions were involuntary and were improperly admitted as evidence, and that the convictions were erroneous …. this is such an appalling vista that every sensible person in the country would say: it cannot be right these actions go any further.” The release and exoneration of the Guildford Four was based on the findings of the Avon and Somerset Police investigation suggesting that the “confessions” had been fabricated and that the Police had lied at the original trial. The appalling vista has begun.
Just after 8:15 on the evening of November 21st, 1974, explosions devastated two Birmingham City pubs. The Mulberry Bush in the Rotunda was first, followed by The Tavern in New Street. The two IRA bombs claimed the lives of 21 people and injured a further 162.
The Birmingham massacre was the latest in a line of IRA bombings and followed public outrage at the funeral procession that day of James McDade, a young Irishman who blew himself up the previous week planting a bomb in Coventry. Unfortunately for the Birmingham Six, they all knew McDade or were acquaintances of his and were intent on travelling back to Ireland for his funeral. If it was not for this coincidence, tha six men would not be in prison and indeed would never have been convicted for this apalling crime which they did not commit.
Five of the men (Paddy Hill, Gerry Hunter, Richard McIlkenny, Billy Power and John Walker) had set off for Ireland from New Street only minutes before the explosions. The sixth man (Hugh Callaghan) had stayed in Birmingham as he was unable to raise the money for the fare.
When the five arrived at Heysham, where they were to board the ferry for Ireland, they were taken aside and questioned on their reasons for travelling. None of them at this time knew anything about the bombings. They were taken to Morecambe police station shortly afterwards, where the interrogations began.
The men were tested for traces of nitroglycerine by means of the Greiss Test. Swabs were taken of the men’s hands to see if they had been in contact with explosives. According to Dr.Skise, the man carrying out the tests, a positive test would indicate that the men had “almost certainly” been in contact with explosives. Later investigations by the “World In Action” team showed that the test would prove positive for traces of cigarette smoke, cleaning materials used on surfaces in trains and the coating of playing cards.
The test proved positive for Billy Power and Paddy Hill, and with these results all ethics of “Innocent until proven guilty” were dismissed.
The men testify to being beaten and threatened until they signed a statement. Paddy Hill testified that the Police interrogated him had said, “If you sign a statement admitting that you planted the bombs you can have something to eat, drink and smoke and there will be no more beating up.”
According to the men, the Police continued to beat them up. They punched and kicked all parts of the body including the genitals with comments such as, “You’ll never have kids again.”
In the trial, the Police told a different story. They told of how Walker, McIlkenny, Hunter and Paver were overcome with remorse and freely gave statements as to their involvement in the bombings. Despite the fact that all four of the statements disagreed in where the bombs were placed, and despite the fact that all the statements were retracted once the men were allowed legal representation, the Birmingham Six were found guilty of one of the worst atrocities in recent British history and were each sentenced to 21 consecutive terms of life imprisonment.
In 1985 Douglas Hurd, the then Home Secretary, ordered a review of the case following evidence of the whereabouts of the real bombers in Chris Mullin’s book, “Error Of Judgement” and evidence of the fallibility of the Greiss Test from the “World In Action” television documentary.
The review hearing, however, was totally negative. Despite the fact that two ex-police persons testified to witnessing brutality on the men, including the use of firearms as a threat, the Judges upheld the convictions and the men were sent back to prison.
So how should this concern us? It is my belief that these six men are obviously victims of mistreatment and injustice. The Bible is quite clear in it’s views on justice. We, as Christians and as concerned human beings, should stand against all forms of injustice, and the case of the Birmingham Six is just one that should upset and anger us. The following Biblical references speak very clearly of God’s attitude to injustice and of our responsibility to upholding the truth:
Exodus 23:6–7,
Isaiah 59:12,
Lamentations 3:34–36,
Zecharaiah 8:16–17,
Proverbs 18:5.
Jesus also was deeply concerned with the fair treatment of individuals. In some cases we even see Jesus allowing guilty people to go free with complete forgiveness. How would Jesus react when faced with the evidence insisting on the innocence of these men?
It is our responsibility to campaign for justice at all times. In the wake of new evidence casting doubt on the validity of these convictions, it is up to us to campaign for the release, exoneration or at least a further appeal hearing for the Birmingham Six.
Since the appeal hearing in 1988, there has been growing support for the Six. Bishop Edward Daly, who was present at the hearing, writes, “These six men and their dreadful plight must not be forgotten. I am more convinced than ever of their innocence.” The Rt.Rev.Peter Hall, Bishop of Woolwich, commented on the hearing at which he too was present, “I was dismayed and deeply alarmed at the outcome of the Appeal.” He continues, “I would therefore encourage all concerned to pursue the matter as vigourously as possible in order to further the Appeal.”
The Birmingham Council of Christian Churches released a statement after the release of the Guildford Four, “In view of the recent release of the Guildford Four, we ask that the case of the Birmingham Six be re-examined.”
Amnesty International in their 1988 statement expressed “grave doubts about the denials of the ill-treatment of the six.”
If you don’t stand convinced of the innocence of these men, then make it your desire to find out more. Read “Error Of Judgement” by Chris Mullin, or write to the National Birmingham Six Campaign at 21 Hatchard Road, London N19 4NG.
Whatever you do, don’t sit back and allow these men to spend the rest of their lives in prison when freedom is their God-given right:
“It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.”
Proverbs 18:5 (NIV)