Blair’s Guildford Four ‘Apology’ Re-examined

New Documents Reveal Nuance in 1999 Letter

Newly released government papers challenge the long-held understanding of a letter from former Prime Minister Tony Blair to Courtney Kennedy Hill, wife of one of the Guildford Four. The documents suggest the correspondence was not intended as a formal apology.

Miscarriage of Justice Acknowledged

The papers from the National Archives indicate **Mr Blair** aimed to express regret for the miscarriages of justice faced by **Paul Hill** and his co-accused, rather than issue a direct apology. This distinction was reportedly lost when the letter was publicized.

The Guildford Four – **Mr Hill**, **Gerry Conlon**, **Patrick Armstrong**, and **Carole Richardson** – each served 15 years in prison following their wrongful convictions for pub bombings in Guildford. Their sentences were overturned in 1989.

In a communication to **Tony Blair**’s foreign policy adviser, **John Sawers**, **Stephen Harrison** of the Home Office clarified the Prime Minister’s stance. Harrison wrote, “The prime minister said … that he was very sorry indeed that there were miscarriages of justice in **Paul Hill**’s case and the cases of those convicted with him.”

“This was not intended to be an apology: rather, the prime minister was acknowledging that the four were victims of miscarriages of justice, and expressing his regret that this should have happened.”

—Stephen Harrison, Home Office

Harrison further noted, “However, in June this year, the letter was publicised for the first time and was widely reported in the media as an apology.”

Wife’s Plea for Compensation

**Ms Kennedy Hill** had written to **Mr Blair** in April 1999, questioning the compensation for her husband’s 15 years of imprisonment. She stated, “For this terrible miscarriage of justice **Paul Hill** has received no apology.”

Responding the following month, **Mr Blair** expressed his deep regret: “I believe that it is an indictment of our system of justice and a matter for the greatest regret when anyone suffers punishment as a result of a miscarriage of justice. There were miscarriages of justice in your husband’s case and the cases of those convicted with him. I am very sorry indeed that this should have happened.”

The language used mirrored that of the Home Secretary in a previous letter concerning the Birmingham Six, according to **Mr Harrison**.

These details surfaced in a 2000 BBC Northern Ireland Spotlight program detailing **Mr Hill**’s case.

Concerns Over Equitable Treatment

Solicitor **Gareth Peirce**, representing another Guildford Four member, raised concerns that the letter was sent only to **Ms Kennedy Hill**, causing further distress to the others. Home Secretary **Jack Straw** subsequently suggested **Mr Blair** extend his correspondence to the remaining individuals.

The following year, **Anne Maguire**, whose family was convicted in the Maguire Seven case, also sought an apology from **Mr Blair** for their wrongful conviction relating to explosives possession.

The legal landscape surrounding wrongful convictions and official apologies continues to be a complex area. For example, in the United States, states have enacted varying legislation to provide compensation and formal apologies for those subjected to wrongful imprisonment, with some states offering upwards of $1 million per year of incarceration.