Dan Jarvis MP who supported calls for the inquiry.
A FORTHCOMING public inquiry into the so-called ‘Battle of Orgreave’ has been hailed as a step in the right direction by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
The incident 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 last month that one will take place in the autumn.
The Rt Rev Dr Pete Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield, has agreed to chair the inquiry which is intended to aid the public’s understanding of how the events on the day – and immediately after – came to pass.
A spokesperson from the NUM said: “We welcome the announcement from the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that a statutory inquiry into the policing at Orgreave and the subsequent court case abandonments after police evidence was discredited.
“This fulfils a pledge made in the Labour Party manifesto that mining communities would not have got had there not been a Labour government elected.
“The events at Orgreave and throughout the strike destroyed the trust between the police and mining communities even now, 41 years later.
“It is vital that this trust is won back and the NUM believe this inquiry will go some way to rebuilding that trust that will benefit everyone.
“The NUM will offer the Rt Rev Dr Wilcox any assistance that he requires to ensure that his inquiry uncovers the truth about who orchestrated the events at Orgreave – and the failed court cases – so that precautions can be put in place so it never happens again.”
The government has engaged with campaign groups throughout the process of designing the inquiry to ensure their concerns and experiences are considered.
Formal consultation between the Home Secretary and the Rt Rev Dr Wilcox on the inquiry’s terms of reference has already begun, and further engagement with key stakeholders will be an important part of that process.
The inquiry will aim to ‘deliver swiftly to ensure the wellbeing of those searching for answers is not unduly impacted’.
“I am extremely grateful to the Home Secretary for the opportunity to chair this inquiry and for the support I shall be given in doing so,” the Rt Rev Dr Wilcox added.
“I do not underestimate the weight of expectation or the significance of the task.
“I look forward to engaging with stakeholders in the coming weeks over the draft terms of reference, and to working with the government to identify experts to support me on the independent panel.
“I expect the panel to begin its work in the autumn, and we will endeavour to deliver an inquiry which is thorough and fair, and which will uncover what happened at Orgreave as swiftly as possible.”