| Pressure is growing to hold an enquiry into the policing of the Miners’ Strike in England and Wales as miners convicted in Scotland are today expected to be pardoned. The Scottish government is to update MSPs on the 1984-5 convictions after a review found it was unlikely many of the miners would face prosecution for their actions today. The outcome of the enquiry was welcomed by the NUM and the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) which have renewed calls for Home Secretary Priti Patel to hold a similar enquiry in England and Wales. In a letter to MPs, the OTJC wrote: “Many people in our mining communities were prosecuted during the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike and convicted and sentenced in a grossly unfair and excessive manner. They have carried that injustice for over 35 years. During the dispute across the UK over 11,000 people were arrested, over 8,000 charged and between 150 and 200 imprisoned. “Miners and their families alongside the NUM and supporters have been campaigning for justice since the end of that strike. On Saturday 19th September 2020 it was reported that a review set up by the Scottish Government has proposed pardons being granted to those who were convicted due to matters relating to the strike. “Ian Lavery MP has now tabled an Early Day Motion calling upon the government to follow the lead of the devolved administration in Scotland and set up an independent review into policing in the UK during the dispute, with a view to issuing pardons to all of those convicted. Many MPs have already supported this EDM so please add your support for the EDM 904.” |