Latest news with #JoBerry
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Daughter of MP killed in Brighton bombing made CBE
THE daughter of an MP killed in the Brighton bombing 40 years ago has spoken of her pride at being made a CBE. Jo Berry, 67, who lives in Frome, has dedicated her life to peace and reconciliation since her father Sir Anthony Berry, the former Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, died. The bombing on October 12 1984 tore apart the Brighton Grand Hotel, where then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher and members of her cabinet were staying while the Conservative Party conference took place. Five people, including Sir Anthony, were killed in the explosion and another 34 were injured. The bomber, IRA member Patrick Magee, was handed eight life sentences at the Old Bailey in 1986, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 35 years. He was released in 1999 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Two days after the bombing, Ms Berry, who was 27 at the time, embraced peace rather than hatred and as part of her work she met Magee in 2000. Since then they have appeared together at events hundreds of times. In 2009 she set up the Building Bridges for Peace charity and has now been honoured for her lifetime's work by becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). 'When I read the letter I was in shock, such a surprise. I'm deeply honoured to receive this award,' Ms Berry told the PA news agency. 'It was not something that ever occurred to me would happen. 'For me it's about everyone who's supported me on my journey to help me achieve what I've achieved. 'I also see it as for everyone who's chosen empathy over hatred. 'For me it's about recognising our shared humanity even after loss and pain. 'It's recognising that it has been a 40-year journey when I made the decision to not hate, not go for revenge. 'Just two days afterwards I wanted to bring something positive out of it and I was only 27 and now I'm 67 and I've still got so much more to achieve, and this award will help. 'I think the hardest thing I had to do was what I chose to do. The hardest thing I chose to do was build the bridge with Patrick Magee, the man who killed my dad. And rather than blaming him, I listened to him. 'It was hard but it was also transformational, and I know it's given a lot of people hope of what is possible. 'I've dedicated my life to peace and reconciliation and that's what I got this award for, which I'm just so moved by it. 'I can't put it into words, I'm so happy.' Reflecting on current global instabilities with the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, Ms Berry said: 'There are people right now who are choosing not to hate even the midst of conflict. 'Even after being bereaved, I know there are people who have huge courage. 'This award, it really makes me think of everyone who's caught up in those wars and the violence, sending love and support. 'I feel this award will give me a higher profile and I haven't finished bringing anything positive, so maybe there's more I can do. 'I have done some international work and I would like to do some more. 'We all need hope, and we all need to be listened to and understood. My message is about shared humanity, that dehumanising anyone does not bring us peace.' Ms Berry said she was looking forward to her investiture and hoped to take her three daughters with her. 'They are my rock and without them I couldn't have done what I've done,' she said. 'The oldest one is nearly 35. They are incredible. I'd like to bring them, I don't know how many people you can bring. 'My dad was made a Sir before he was killed and he had six children and I remember he said any of us could come, so he wanted to do it fair. 'He was such a fair man that we drew lots, and I remember the two that went, it wasn't me. 'I think he'd be very proud. Sadly my mum, who only died two years ago, she would be very proud as well.'
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Daughter of IRA bomb victim backs our campaign for terror attack monument
Jo Berry's dad Sir Anthony Berry - a Tory party whip - perished along with four others in the blast at Brighton's Grand Hotel on October 12, 1984 during the Conservative Party conference The daughter of an MP murdered in the IRA's Brighton bomb has backed the Mirror 's campaign for a monument to honour terror victims. Jo Berry's dad Sir Anthony Berry - a Tory party whip - perished along with four others in the blast at Brighton's Grand Hotel on October 12, 1984. Members of the IRA planted an explosive device in a bid to assassinate PM Margaret Thatcher, who was staying in the seaside city with MPs and ministers for the Conservative party conference. Last night Jo, who has tirelessly campaigned for peace and conflict resolution, supported our fight for a lasting touchstone. She said: 'It can be a long, lonely, hard journey to recover from terrorism. The pain is different to anything else because of how it happens. When I speak to anyone affected by terrorism we have an understanding and know what it means. 'I know separate memorials for some major attacks already exist, but to have one that unites us all would be very different - especially because myself and others impacted by smaller attacks don't currently have a place to go. To have somewhere where we all belong, where we can go and find that solace and peace, would be incredible.' The Mirror-backed Place to Remember Campaign is calling on the government to erect a monument honouring all those affected by terror attacks in the UK. We are also demanding that calls for a National Remembrance Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism be urgently listened to. In March, security minister Dan Jarvis launched a consultation for a day of remembrance, which is due to close next month, but this does not include plans for a shrine. Jo, whose father represented Enfield Southgate in North London, added: 'I would like it to be a living memorial with a garden connected to it where we can sit and take time away from the rest of the world. Having spoken to many people affected by terrorism, we all agree that closure isn't something that happens, it's how we find a place for our pain and our trauma so we can continue living the best life. I think a living memorial would really help with that.' Sir Anthony was staying at the Grand Hotel with his second wife Sarah and their two Jack Russells when the bomb exploded at 2.54 am. He perished along with Eric Taylor, chairman of the Conservative Party in the northwest, Roberta Wakeham, wife to chief whip John Wakeham, Muriel Maclean, wife of the Scottish Conservative Association's chairman and Jeanne Shattock, wife of the party's western-area chairman. Sarah was among 31 people seriously injured, including Margaret Tebbit, wife of Norman Tebbit, who had to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life. More than three weeks before the horror, IRA volunteer Patrick Magee had checked into the hotel on Brighton's seafront under a false name and hid the bomb in the bathroom of his room, number 629. The homemade device was fitted with a long-delay timer. When it exploded, the blast engulfed one of the two 11ft chimney stacks atop the historic hotel and ripped through several rooms. Magee was jailed for 35 years but released in 1999 as part of the Good Friday Agreement, after serving 14 years. Thatcher was a prime target for the IRA as it saw her responsible for the deaths of 10 republicans in the 1981 hunger strike at the Maze Prison.
