A member of parliament has marked the 40th anniversary of the Brighton bomb in the House of Commons.

Andrew Bowie, shadow minister for veterans’ affairs, called the attack at The Grand in Brighton, which took place on October 12, 1984, “one of the most appalling and audacious terrorist attacks on British soil”.

He told MPs: “Five people died in the bombing.

“If you will forgive me, Mr Speaker, they were the Member of Parliament for Enfield, Southgate, Anthony Berry; Lady Jeanne Shattock; Muriel Maclean of the Scottish Conservatives; Eric Taylor; and Roberta Wakeham.

“All are remembered. Thirty-one people were also injured and some never recovered.”

The scene outside The GrandThe scene outside The Grand (Image: Simon Dack)Irish republican activist Patrick Magee planted a timed explosive in one of the hotel’s bathrooms to target then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet, who were staying at the hotel for the annual Conservative party conference.

Mrs Thatcher emerged unscathed and delivered her conference speech the next day. Magee was sentenced to life in prison, although was released in June 1999 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, went on to draw attention to the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 and concerns “within the veteran community that the new government’s proposed repealing and replacement of that act will put men and women, many of whom are now well into retirement, at risk”.

READ MORE: Brighton remembers 40 years on from IRA Grand Hotel bomb

He asked Alistair Carns, minister for veterans and people at the Ministry of Defence, to confirm that the people protected by the act will remain protected and “never be at the mercy of those seeking to distort their service or to damage their lives and reputations”.

Mr Carns responded: “I thank the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his comments.

“Our government recognises the important service of veterans and serving personnel and the sacrifices they made to keep us all safe in Northern Ireland during the troubles.

“I did not serve during the troubles, but I did serve in Northern Ireland and I understand them.

“He has my absolute commitment that any individual who needs to go through legal proceedings will get the correct welfare and legal support.”