Although debate still rages about whether it was a racist attack or not, the New Cross Massacre of January 18th 1981 remains an unsolved crime. (1)  A |Furore of sorts erupted late last year when stories circulated that double murderer Michael Smithyman confessed to the crime.  However, this ‘confession’ had been in the public domain for several years and were recanted by Smithyman himself in 2015. (3)

Metropolitan Police claim they investigated Smithyman’s claims have failed to assuage the community long convinced that the trauma caused by massacre has consistently been compounded by an official cover-up. (4)

Arguably more concerning is the notion that “people within Lewisham’s own Black community know the truth behind how the fire started.” (5)

The massacre did galvanise the community, culminating the massive National Black People’s Day of Action where up to 60,000 took to the streets. (6)  Yet in retrospect, it seems that pre-existing fissures within the activist community hindered this mass mobilisation being transformed into a lasting legacy for the New Cross Martyrs as well as the many survivors, their families and loved ones. (7)

In Memorium:

Patrick Cummings, 21 September 1964 – 18 January 1981

Andrew Gooding,18 February 1966 – 18 January 1981

Peter Campbell, 23 February 1962 – 18 January 1981

Gerry Paul Francis, 21 August 1963 – 18 January 1981

Steve Collins, 2 May 1963 – 18 January 1981

Patricia Johnson, 16 May 1965 – 18 January 1981

Rosaline Henry, 23 September 1964 – 18 January 1981

Lloyd Hall, 28 November 1960 – 18 January 1981

Humphrey Geoffrey Brown, 4 July 1962 – 18 January 1981

Owen Thompson, 11 September 1964 – 18 January 1981

Yvonne Ruddock, 17 January 1965 – 24 January 1981

Glenton Powell, 18 January 1966 – 25 January 1981

Paul Ruddock, 19 November 1958 – 9 February 1981

Anthony Berbeck, 17 August 1962 – 9 July 1983

(1)  Harry Howard and Monica Greep (24/07/21) Families of 1981 New Cross fire victims stand by claims it was a ‘racist attack’ sparked by a driver who threw missile at house – but ex-Met Police detective insists there was ‘no evidence of firebomb’ in blaze that killed 13 people. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9818041/Families-1981-New-Cross-fire-victims-stand-claims-racist-attack.html; Nadine White (02/11/21) 1981 New Cross fire which killed 13 ‘wasn’t racist attack,’ survivor says amid new fears over prison confession. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-cross-fire-survivor-speaks-b1949219.html

(3)  Andy Gardner and Jake Ryan (31/10/21) Double murderer confesses his part in New Cross fire which killed 13 black partygoers in 1981 – as dramatic new evidence sparks fresh accusations police failed to properly investigate blaze that stoked race tensions.  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10148203/Double-murderer-confesses-unsolved-New-Cross-fire.html

(4) Virgillo Hunter (09/06/19) The New Cross Fire (January 18, 1981). https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/events-global-african-history/the-new-cross-fire-january-18-1981/

(5) White. Op. cit

(6) Auntie Jean’s Afrikan Culture Market (17/01/21) 14 Dead and Nothing Said. https://www.facebook.com/auntiejeanp/videos/4041852552515113

(7) John La Rose (2011) Interview with Socialist Challenge in Johnson, John La Roase and Gus John The New Cross Massacre Story. New Beacon Books / George Padmore Institute. p. 11; Desmond Hunt (1981) An interview with Linton Kwesi Johnson, The Other Side ‘zine, https://standupandspit.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/linton-kwesi-johnson-1981/

we ask the question:

Why is the New Cross Massacre still unsolved?

1) Was the police investigation subject to a ‘cover-up’?  If so why?

2) Why did the Smithyman ‘Confession’ claims resurface when it did?

3) Do people in the Black community really know the truth behind how the fire started?

4) What needs to happen for closure to take place, if that’s even possible?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

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