Coroner ordered to reconsider restricted scope of Birmingham pub bombings inquests

Sir Peter Thornton QC has been ordered to reconsider his decision last summer to restrict the scope of the new inquests, excluding the names of the alleged perpetrators.

Mrs Justice Sue Carr and Lord Justice Simon were “minded to quash the coroner’s decision which excluded the perpetrator issue and remit the case so as to enable him to reconsider”, they said.

A spokesperson for the inquests said: “The coroner is committed to ensuring that the inquests start as soon as possible but now wishes to take some time to consider carefully the judgment handed by the High Court and its impact on the future progress of the inquests.

“The coroner is grateful for the considerable help and assistance he has had from all interested persons in the inquests to date.”

A pre-inquest review hearing is listed for 22 February.