Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #MaguireSeven
Most recents (2)
The LCJ's proposal to limit the right to #TrialByJury should send a cold chill down all of our spines, lawyers & non-lawyers alike. I could write a book full of reasons why this would be a huge mistake but I'll focus on one that is close to my heart. My example focuses on (1/12)
the #Guildford4 & the Maguire Family (#Maguire7). It is important to name the four: Paul Hill, Gerard Conlon, Paddy Armstrong & Carole Richardson. They were accused of setting an IRA bomb in Guildford that killed 5 innocent people & injured many more. All four were convicted (2)
on 22nd October 1975. The Trial Judge was Mr Justice John Donaldson (later to become Master of the Rolls replacing Denning & a life Peer). Why have I embarked on this history lesson? It is not because of my admiration for Baron Donaldson of Lymington, I can assure you. In his (3)
Powerful, moving #GreatBritishInjustice @StephenNolan exposes crushing cruelty to #MaguireSeven. Asked by Gerry & Sarah Conlon, I got TBlair to agree to fully apologise & assert total innocence of #GuildfordFour & Maguires in 2005. But events even cheated them on its form. 1/
Downing St spinners had BBC/Sky News lead at midnight on apology due during PMQs (w Maguires & GerryConlon in gallery). Speaker then told Eddie McGrady he couldn't call him for a Q as LibDems protesting protocol! PM apology then given to camera in Commons office not Despatch Box.
G Conlon & V Maguire distressed when told Q not to be called etc. Pres McAleese (who'd stressed to me need for Maguires to get full apology alongside Gerry et al) also perplexed. Gerry felt it was devalued for others. All this by phone as not in London but due to be with Sarah.
