The Grand has marked 40 years since a bomb exploded there, killing five.

Staff gathered at the bottom of the hotel’s staircase shortly before noon to remember the tragic events of the morning of October 12, 1984.

Andrew Mosley, the hotel’s general manager, addressed the group and members of the public sat in the foyer.

He said: “I would like to thank you all for gathering here today. To our guests and members of the public, welcome and thank you for coming to remember the events of 40 years ago today at The Grand hotel.

“I would like you to give your thoughts to those who died that night. I would like you to give your thoughts to those that were injured and for our colleagues working at that time.

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“I think we should all spare thoughts and thanks to the emergency services who dealt so amazingly with what happened that night.

“And, of course, to the families of all those people mentioned who were impacted by the events.

“This moment is about showing our support as a team to all those people.”

After Mr Mosley’s speech, a two minute silence was held.

On this day 40 years ago, a timed explosive tore through the hotel's upper floors at 2.54am, planted by Irish republican activist Patrick Magee.

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Five people were killed in the explosion and its aftermath:

  • Eric Taylor, chairman of the Conservative Party's north-west region.
  • Lady Jeanne Shattock, wife of Gordon Shattock, the western area chairman of the party.
  • Lady Muriel Maclean, wife of Sir Donald Maclean, president of the Scottish Conservatives.
  • Roberta Wakeham, wife of Parliamentary treasury secretary John Wakeham.
  • Sir Anthony Berry, MP for Southgate. His wife was badly injured.

The target of the attack was then prime minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet, who were staying at The Grand for the annual Conservative conference.

Mrs Thatcher was uninjured and delivered her conference speech the following day.

Magee was arrested a year later and sentenced to life in prison. He was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 1999.