Families of soldiers who died in IRA Hyde Park bombing win legal aid fight to bring civil case against suspect

John Downey denies all involvement in the bombing
John Downey denies all involvement in the bombing Credit: EddieMulholland

A suspect accused of being behind the IRA Hyde Park bomb could face a High Court hearing into his alleged role in the blast that killed four British soldiers and injured several others.

A criminal trial against John Downey, 66, collapsed over Government and police errors but he now faces a civil action after Legal Aid chiefs agreed to fund it.

It comes after they refused five times to pay for attempts to bring him to justice, The Sun reported, after a long campaign by families of the victims.

Lance Corporal Jeffrey Young, Corporal Roy Bright, Trooper Simon Tipper and Lieutenant Anthony Daly were all killed in the attack on 20 July 1982. A further 31 were injured, and seven cavalry horses also died.

Downey denies any involvement in the attack and claims he was framed in a conspiracy between MI5, the Met, the CPS and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He was due to face an Old Bailey trial four years ago until it emerged he had been wrongly sent a letter promising immunity from prosecution in a secret scheme under the Good Friday Agreement.

Dead horses are covered up and wrecked cars left at the scene after an IRA bomb exploded as the Household Cavalry was passing in Hyde Park, London
Dead horses are covered up and wrecked cars left at the scene after an IRA bomb exploded as the Household Cavalry was passing in Hyde Park, London Credit: PA

A Legal Aid Agency spokesperson said: “We can confirm legal aid has been awarded to families of the victims of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing. We reviewed the application in accordance with the information provided and the legal aid regulations.

“Our deepest sympathies remain with those affected by this atrocity.”

Sarah Jane Young, the daughter of Lance Corporal Young, told paper: "When I heard the news, I burst into tears. It's the best day I've had in years."

She added: "I only dreamed we'd ever get to this moment, but now anything's possible."

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