OTJC ACTIVISTS MEET MPs IN PARLIAMENT

This week we gave a presentation to the Coalfields Labour MPs. We explained to them that now an Inquiry has been granted it must have a credible expert panel with the relevant experience in the work of upholding legal, constitutional and civil liberties. The whole experience of the Miners’ Strike exemplified in the events of June 18th 1984 was of the destruction of protected rights. The Inquiry must be driven by the people who had the full weight of the state against them and who were directly involved.

We suggested some practical steps MPs could take to ensure the Inquiry is inclusive and that they encourage their constituents to get involved in providing information and evidence. 

Statute requires the Home Secretary to consult with the Inquiry Chair about panel membership but membership is ultimately at the discretion of the Home Secretary. We sincerely hope the Home Office takes notice of our suggestions for selecting panel members with the requisite skills and expertise we have outlined to them and commits to ensuring they consult with experts in these areas as the Inquiry moves forward.

We understand there will be a public announcement about the Inquiry in the next few weeks.