Home Secretary (): The violent scenes that
took place at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984 were a
pivotal moment in the nationwide miners' strike of 1984–85. In
total, 95 picketers were arrested and charged with riot and
violent disorder, but all charges were later dropped after
evidence was discredited. The events of that day have had a
lasting impact on those present and on their families and
communities, as well as on the relationship between policing and
coalfield communities at that time.
Whilst there have been significant changes in the oversight of
policing since 1984, and to the way that public order is now
policed, questions about the specific events of Orgreave have
remained unanswered for too long. More than forty years on, it is
time that every individual affected by the events of that day
receives the answers they deserve.
This Government made a commitment in its manifesto to ensure,
through an investigation or inquiry, that the truth about events
at Orgreave comes to light. Today, consistent with that promise,
I am announcing the Government's decision to establish an inquiry
into the events at the Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984.
The Rt Revd Dr , the Bishop of Sheffield, has
agreed to chair the inquiry. He will be supported by a small
panel of independent experts who will be appointed in due course.
The purpose of the inquiry will be to aid public understanding of
how the violent clashes and injuries caused at Orgreave on 18
June 1984, and the events immediately after, came to pass. It
will be a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, with
the appropriate powers to compel the provision of information
where necessary.
It will be key for the inquiry to have access to all information
which it deems relevant. For that reason, I have recently written
to all police forces, the National Police Chiefs' Council, the
College of Policing, and all government departments, to ask that
all material they hold relating to the events of Orgreave be
retained, in order that it can be provided in a timely manner to
the inquiry if requested.
Recognising the need for an inquiry to deliver swiftly whilst
avoiding any undue impact on individuals' wellbeing, I hope the
inquiry will look to previous examples of good practice – such as
the Hillsborough Independent Panel – to inform its method of
delivery.
I am currently in the process of consulting the Rt Revd Dr on a proposed terms of
reference and I have asked him to engage with key stakeholders as
part of that process. I will place a final copy of the terms of
reference in the Libraries of both Houses at the earliest
opportunity thereafter.
In line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the direction of the
inquiry's investigations will be a matter for the Chair.
