The home secretary has rejected an offer by the bishop of Sheffield to set up an independent panel to examine events surrounding the “battle of Orgreave”.
Campaigners have long been calling for a public inquiry into the events of 18 June 1984, when South Yorkshire police attacked striking miners on a picket line in Orgreave, between Rotherham and Sheffield.
A total of 95 miners were charged following the clashes, but their trials collapsed amid evidence that officers had fabricated their accounts.
The Right Rev Dr. Peter Wilcox said there was strong public support for the government to commission a review, but he had been unable to persuade the Home Office of this.
Campaigners have long been calling for a public inquiry into the events of 18 June 1984, when South Yorkshire police attacked striking miners on a picket line in Orgreave, between Rotherham and Sheffield.
A total of 95 miners were charged following the clashes, but their trials collapsed amid evidence that officers had fabricated their accounts.
The Right Rev Dr. Peter Wilcox said there was strong public support for the government to commission a review, but he had been unable to persuade the Home Office of this.
“We had high hopes that his approach would be seen as a real chance to get to the truth about what happened at Orgreave on 18 June 1984 and afterwards,” said Chris Hockney, chair of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign. “It’s a real kick in the teeth not just for us but for all the people and institutions who Bishop Pete has approached and who, like us, believe there’s a real need to address this part of history so mining communities can get truth and justice.”
Former miner Kevin Horne, one of those arrested at Orgreave, said: “It is 35 years since the strike, and I think the government hopes we’ll take this to our graves. If they’ve nothing to hide then they should welcome the chance offered by the bishop to have a thorough and authoritative review of what’s held on record, rather than keep trying to cover up the corruption of the past.”
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