Overview
- The judge confirmed the claim was discontinued on the final day of the two‑week High Court trial with no order as to costs.
- Claimants’ counsel said the overnight development stemmed from the court considering potential abuse of process, which could have exposed the victims to Adams’ legal costs.
- The outcome means the court will issue no finding on Adams’ alleged IRA membership or civil liability for the 1973 Old Bailey blast and the 1996 Docklands and Manchester bombings.
- Adams, who testified earlier in the week and denied any IRA membership or involvement, welcomed what he called an “emphatic end” to a case he said should not have been brought.
- The victims and their lawyers said they were devastated, arguing they were forced into withdrawal despite presenting anonymous intelligence and former IRA testimony due to sudden procedural and financial risk.