Birmingham pub bombings: Andy Burnham to discuss families' funding bid with Theresa May

Image caption Twenty-one people were killed in the Birmingham pub bombings. Photographs of three of the victims have never been released

An MP has vowed to intervene in the quest for families of the Birmingham pub bombings victims to have their legal fees paid by the government.

Inquests into the deaths of 21 people killed in the 1974 attacks on two pubs are due to be held next year.

Families had hoped to secure an arrangement like the Hillsborough inquests, where legal costs were covered, but this was rejected.

Andy Burnham MP met campaigners to discuss their campaign on Tuesday.

Mr Burnham has said he will approach the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to intervene.

More on this story and others in Birmingham and the Black Country

Q&A: Birmingham bombings inquests reopen

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Image caption Andy Burnham MP said he will speak to Prime Minister Theresa May about supporting the Birmingham pub bombings victims' families

The MP for Leigh, who was involved in helping families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster, has called for a 'Hillsborough Law' to ensure legal funding for families at inquests where the police are involved.

He said the victims' families had been through a "quite harrowing" time, and called for financial support to give them a fair representation in the inquests.

"They deserve a lot better than what they have received," he said.

"An inquest should be about getting to the truth."

So far lawyers for the relatives of the victims have been working for free, but the families want these costs to be paid out of public funds.

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Image caption Families of the victims of the pub bombings say they still have questions that need answering at the inquests