MPs Dan Jarvis and Stephanie Peacock both backed calls for the investigation.
A FULL public inquiry into the events which took place at Orgreave in 1984 is set to take place following a decade-long campaign.
The so-called ‘Battle of Orgreave’, as it is often referred to, began when thousands of miners who were striking against pit closures surrounded the plant on June 18, 1984 to try to stop lorries carrying coal into the site.
They were met by about 6,000 police officers, some on horses and some with riot shields.
More than 100 people were injured after mounted police officers retaliated with force, although miners were arrested and charged with riot and unlawful assembly.
However, their trials collapsed amid claims of police misconduct and perjury by officers.
Both Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis and Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock have backed calls for an investigation into Orgreave – and it was confirmed this week that one will take place.
Since setting up in 2012 the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) have worked relentlessly to place on the political agenda the urgent need for an inquiry into the role of the police and government during the miners’ strike at the Orgreave coking plant.
Secretary Kate Flannery said: “We have waited a long time for this day and this is really positive news.
“All these years of hard work by the OTJC and our many supporters has helped to influence this constructive announcement.
“We appreciate the Labour Party’s nine-year commitment to holding some kind of Orgreave inquiry.
“We now need to be satisfied that the inquiry is given the necessary powers to fully investigate all the aspects of the orchestrated policing at Orgreave, and have unrestricted access to all relevant information including government, police and media documents, photos and films.”
Union Unite has been working alongside the campaign and say they are pleased to see the inquiry take place.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The events at Orgreave were absolutely horrific and the creation of the public inquiry is the first step in ensuring the full truth can finally be revealed.
“The role of Unite members, branches and regions in supporting the campaign for justice for Orgreave has been vital in securing the public inquiry.
“The public inquiry must ensure it gets the answers and uncovers the truth of who was behind the attack on striking miners at Orgreave.”
The OTJC say that the inquiry should have the power to require all the relevant information, ensure those who have an interest are able to participate and that it should be accessible.
Kevin Horne, a miner who was arrested at Orgreave, added: “It is now over 41 years since a paramilitary style police operation was planned at Orgreave and it is important to remember that some of the miners attacked and arrested there are now dead and many others are old and ill.
“We need a quick and thorough inquiry with a tight timescale so that surviving miners can at last obtain the truth and justice they have been waiting for.
“Plenty of information exists and has already been obtained to give an inquiry a substantial headstart.”