We continue to commemorate the atrocity of the New Cross Massacre to strive to get to grips with its legacy. In our previous show an attendee at the party on January 18th 1981 resolutely asserted his view on how the fire started as well as demanding justice for the victims. It’s a demand that persists after inquests in 1981 (held in “indecent haste”) and 2004 that both returned open verdicts. (1) Consequently, there us little confidence within the community for a third inquest. Yet there is a glowing agitation for a public inquiry.
The demand occurs alongside calls for a “Hillsborough Law.” The proposal, supported by ex-prime ministers Gordon Brown, Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, would impose “a statutory duty of candour on all public servants during public inquiries and criminal investigations… That means no cover-ups, no concealments, no closing of ranks.” (2)
A Hillsborough law would also purportedly make greater resources available to survivors and bereaved families after a major incident. It would aim to ensure their proper participation at inquests and inquiries, through publicly funded legal representation, and the provision of a public advocate to act for families of the deceased after major incidents. (3)
A new inquiry could build on the contemporaneous work of the New Cross Massacre Action Committee fact-finding commission that compiled its own evidence in the face of ostensible state indifference (or worse). (4)
However, a new inquiry would be a major undertaking requiring both legitimacy from the community as well as consensus from a broad range of stakeholders. It’s something that may have fallen under the remit of interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament (iNAPP) before its implosion, although there has been calls to revive it. (5)
Either way, the leadership of the process will be vital importance.
(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan (17/01/22) Why is the New Cross Massacre still unsolved? https://www.mixcloud.com/olatunji-heru/why-is-the-new-cross-massacre-still-unsolved-170122/
(2) Mark Brown (07/01/22) Two ex-prime ministers join chorus of calls for ‘Hillsborough law’. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/07/campaigners-hillsborough-law-justice-manchester-liverpool-mayors-bereaved-families; Peter Kenny Jones (08/01/22) The Hillsborough Law – what it is and how to get involved. https://www.empireofthekop.com/2022/01/08/the-hillsborough-law-what-it-is-and-how-to-get-involved/; Martin Bentham (12/01/22) Sadiq Khan backs ‘Hillsborough law’ to ensure honesty during public inquiries. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/sadiq-khan-hillsborough-law-public-inquiries-grenfell-b976216.html
(3) Ibid.
(4) Aamna Mohdin (15/01/21) How the New Cross fire became a rallying cry for political action. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jan/15/how-the-new-cross-fire-became-a-rallying-cry-for-political-action; See also https://www.georgepadmoreinstitute.org/collections/new-cross-massacre-campaign-1980-1985
(5) iNAPP Council of Elders (15/05/15) Statement From iNAPP Council of Elders. https://web.archive.org/web/20150515165628/http://www.inapp.org.uk/; Global Afrikan People’s Parliament (27/02/15) Statement from the Global Afrikan People’s Parliament (GAPP). https://www.facebook.com/notes/375311420174241/
we ask the question:
New Cross Massacre: Time for a new inquiry?
1) What would we want a new inquiry to achieve?
2) Would a “Hillsborough Law” help establish a new inquiry?
3) How would legitimacy and consensus for a new inquiry be established?
4) How should a new inquiry be led?
Our Special Guests:
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.
Sis. Maggie Edwards: One of the survivors of the New Cross Massacre, who also lost her sister in the party.
Bro. Richard Simpson: proprietor of Cummin Up Take-Away and long-time philanthropist and supporter of community good causes. He recently organised a memorial mural to the victims and survivors of the New Cross Massacre.
Bro. Aaron Simpson: Entrepreneur and son of Bro Richard Simpson.