New media Release
Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign
MEDIA RELEASE
30th October 2018
HAUNTING REMINDER OF FRIGHTENING TRUTH
Campaigners calling for a public inquiry into events surrounding the police riot at Orgreave three decades ago are set to provide the Government with a haunting reminder that it cannot bury the truth.
On Wednesday 31st October members of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) will travel from South Yorkshire to London to hand-deliver a letter to the Home Secretary Sajid Javid urging him to order an independent inquiry into events that took place at the Orgreave coking plant on 18 June 1984.
The so-called ‘Battle of Orgreave’ during the 12-month miners’ strike led to the arrest of 95 miners who were charged on fabricated police statements, only for their trials to collapse because of unreliable evidence.
Neither the police nor the Conservative government admitted liability for assault, wrongful arrest and malicious prosecutions, and not once officer has ever been disciplined for any offence
On Wednesday it is Halloween, two years to the day since former Home Secretary Amber Rudd refused to order an independent inquiry into police violence that day which still haunts former miners and their families.
One of those arrested at Orgreave was former miner Kevin Horne, who believes the Government is frightened to unearth the truth. “It’s a disgrace. What are they hiding, and why are they covering up the corruption of the past? This issue won’t go away.”
Kate Flannery, Secretary of OTJC said they had submitted a detailed legal document to the Home Office in 2015 at the then Home Secretary Theresa May’s request.
Her successor Amber Rudd decided on 31 October 2016 that there would be no inquiry of any kind about Orgreave, a decision that shocked campaigners who accused her of not familiarising herself with the document and not being briefed properly on it.
“So earlier this year when Amber Rudd resigned in relation to the Windrush scandal we expected her successor Sajid Javid to review our call for a public inquiry, but we’re still waiting for a response.”
She added that some documents that had been released highlighted active Government involvement in the miners’ strike. “But many other papers aren’t due to be made public until as late as 2066.
“That’s why it’s vital that we have an inquiry to ensure we have a thorough and authoritative review, and to be able to access everything relevant.”
Supporters are being encouraged to back the campaign by taking to social media on Wednesday urging Sajid Javid to hold an Orgreave Inquiry – something Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott has promised should Labour win the next election.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Information relating to contacting the Home Secretary here:
https://otjc.org.uk/orgreave-
Information about Scottish Review of Policing during the Miners’ strike:
https://otjc.org.uk/impact-of-
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