Support the calls for a public inquiry in to Orgreave

THE ORGREAVE TRUTH AND JUSTICE CAMPAIGN is seeking truth and justice for all miners victimised by the police at the Orgreave Coking Plant, South Yorkshire on 18/6/84. Orgreave is part of a pattern of covers ups and lies by police in different forces which are now being exposed. We call for a full public inquiry to take place as soon as possible into the policing and the statements recorded by the police at the time. We want everyone who seeks truth and justice to support our campaign.

Only hours after the announcement on 12 June by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) that it would not be conducting a full investigation into events at Orgreave coking works near Rotherham on 18 June 1984 the Home Office issued the following statement:-

“The Home Secretary will consider any request she receives to set up a public inquiry into Orgreave.”

Backing for a public inquiry has been steadily built since November 2012 by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC), which has worked closely with the National Union of Mineworkers’ in the process.

Backing from Hillsborough campaigners
Hillsborough families and campaigners have provided inspiration for OTJC members and on 12 June both the Hillsborough Justice Campaign and the Hillsborough Family Support Group stated their desire to see a public inquiry over Orgreave.

IPCC unable to locate key documents whilst highlighting police malpractice
The IPCC’s report into why it was standing aside highlighted that the organisation had been unable to locate a series of important documents including the policing operational orders that were drawn up in advance of 18 June.

Detailed analysis of the report also revealed that the IPCC – which cited the historic nature of events and limited resources as the primary reasons why it was unwilling to conduct a further investigation – had detailed a cover up by South Yorkshire Police (SYP) of malpractice it knew had taken place. The IPCC report largely conceded that only a public inquiry can eventually get to the truth.

The IPCC also overlooked that an important component of the “public interest” requirement is upholding public confidence in the police, particularly in South Yorkshire, and wrongly assumes that there is no new learning to be
taken into account.

Legal and political challenge ahead
In response to the Home Office statement of 12 June the OTJC is currently exploring legal avenues in our struggle for a public inquiry. Meanwhile, OTJC is appealing for ongoing public support such that the Home Secretary is pressurised into agreeing to a public inquiry.

If you haven’t already done so please get your organisation to pass the following resolution:
This (organisation) backs the call by the OTJC for a public inquiry into events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984 and requests the Home Secretary to establish just such an inquiry as soon as possible.

The OTJC would welcome invitations to speak at trade union and labour movement meetings, demonstrations, rallies and on picket lines.

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