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4w ago

UK Launches Statutory Inquiry into Battle of Orgreave

Consultations on the inquiry’s scope are under way ahead of an autumn launch to probe allegations of excessive police force alongside investigations into missing records

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Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher leaving 10 Downing Street on April 15 to answer questions in the House of Commons In London, England. April 15, 1986 REUTERS/Roy Letkey DISCLAIMER: The image is presented in its original, uncropped, and untoned state. Due to the age and historical nature of the image, we recommend verifying all associated metadata, which was transferred from the index stored by the Bettmann Archives, and may be truncated./File Photo

Overview

  • The inquiry was pledged in Labour’s election manifesto and will possess legal powers to compel witness testimony and document disclosure
  • Bishop Pete Wilcox, who was arrested as a miner during the 1984 clashes, has been appointed to chair the independent panel
  • Home Office and Bishop Wilcox have begun formal talks on terms of reference to secure unrestricted access to government, police and media archives
  • Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign members aim to determine who ordered the multi-force police deployment and why key evidence was destroyed or embargoed
  • Critics including the Taxpayers’ Alliance have questioned the value and cost of examining events that took place over 40 years ago