Seeking truth and justice

Today (December 15) sees ex-miners, trade unionists, activists and more come to Westminster as they continue their fight for truth and justice over Orgreave.

Campaigners will hand in a legal submission to home secretary Theresa May calling on her to consider setting up either an independent panel – similar to the one established into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster – or a proper public inquiry.

‘Battle of Orgreave’

A key event during the year-long miners’ strike, on 18 June 1984 the ‘battle of Orgreave’ as it became known took place at the British steel coking plant in South Yorkshire and saw a major confrontation between miners and the police.

It is alleged that police were aware of the strikers’ plans due to infiltration of striking miners by the authorities, and the demonstration descended into chaos when the strikers were surrounded by police and subject to ‘brutal assaults.

In total 95 miners were arrested after thousands of police officers – many in riot gear – fought brutally with the striking miners.

This submission will provide testimonials on events on the day from miners and their wives plus photographs from Orgreave, and will be handed in by Chris Peace and Mike McColgan on behalf of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, which is campaigning for a full public inquiry into the injustices on the day.

Barbara Jackson, secretary of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign said, “We had a productive meeting with home secretary Theresa May in July and now that we have completed our legal submission we are looking forward to presenting it to her with the belief that she will look at if fairly and objectively. We remain committed to justice over Orgreave.”

As part of the submission a video has also been produced. Watch the video #OrgreaveJustice