THIS weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the 1984 Brighton bombing when an IRA device ripped through the Grand Hotel during that year’s Tory Party conference.

Five people died in the explosion which was aimed at the Thatcher cabinet and 34 were seriously injured.

The Tory leader and her husband Denis narrowly escaped injury in the blast, which occurred at 2.53am on October 12.

Former Tory minister Lord Tebbit, the then trade and industry secretary, was severely injured in the blast and his wife Margaret was left paralysed from the neck down and needing 24-hour care.

Patrick Magee was handed eight life sentences at the Old Bailey in 1986 for his part in the bombing, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 35 years.

He was released in 1999 under the Good Friday Agreement — having served 13 years for the crime.

Mr Magee will be in the city on Sunday taking part in a panel discussion following a screening of documentary Beyond Right and Wrong at The Old Market in Hove.

The programme follows the story of Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the explosion, and her reconciliatory journey with Mr Magee.

Ms Berry now travels the world promoting peace and reconciliation with Mr Magee.

“I would say he is a friend,” she said. “It is an unusual friendship but I care about him.”