10 Political Conspiracies That Changed The 20th Century

10 Political Conspiracies That Changed The 20th Century

Stephanie Schoppert - September 9, 2016

6. Brighton Hotel Bombing

10 Political Conspiracies That Changed The 20th Century
www.brightonandhovenews.org

The Brighton Hotel bombing happened on October 12th, 1984 and was an attempt by the Provisional Irish Republican Army to assassinate Margaret Thatcher and other members of the British government. The attack was an attempt to force Britain to withdraw from Northern Ireland and remove it from the U.K. The plot was carried out by Patrick Magee who stayed at the Grand Hotel from September 14th -17th 1984. He hid a bomb under the bath in his room and wrapped it in cling film in order to hide its scent from the bomb sniffing dogs. The bomb had a long delay timer which ensured that it would not go off until Thatcher and other officials were at the hotel for the Conservative Party conference.

At 2:54 a.m. on October 12th, the bomb detonated, causing the middle of the hotel to collapse and fall into the basement. To the luck of those staying in the hotel and Margaret Thatcher, the well-built Victorian hotel remained standing. Margaret Thatcher’s room was largely unscathed, her bathroom was damaged but the bedroom and sitting room were untouched. Thatcher decided that the conference would go on as usual and went right from the conference to visit the injured at the hospital.

Five people were killed, none of which were government ministers. Thirty-four people were taken to the hospital with injuries, some including Margaret Tebbit and Walter Clegg were left permanently disabled. The investigation into the bomb plot quickly determined the room of the bomb and narrowed down the conspirator to Patrick Magee. He admitted to being part of the plot but never to being the one to plant the bomb. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison but was released after 14 years under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Four other IRA members were imprisoned in connection to the plot.

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