Labor promises to investigate clash between police and miners at 'Battle of Orgreave'

A striking miner stands in front of a line of police outside the Orgreave plant, 1984. Photo: Hulton Archive

Labour has promised an investigation into clashes between miners and police during the 1984 «Battle of Orgreave» mine strikes.

The party's manifesto, published on Thursday, said that through an investigation or investigation she will ensure that «the truth about the events at Orgreave becomes known.»

The Battle of Orgreave, which took place almost 40 years ago, was the most violent incident in the year-long miners' strike of 1984/85 and a turning point in the dispute. About 95 miners were charged with rioting or violent disorder.

The move will be seen as a nod to the Labor left as Diane Abbott, as shadow home secretary in 2017, led calls for a full investigation. after the government ruled out any investigation. A commitment to an investigation featured in both Jeremy Corbyn's election manifestos in 2017 and 2019.

Police horses at the Orgreave coking plant in during the miners' strike Photo: Trevor Smith/Alamy Stock Photo

At the Battle of Orgreave on June 18, 1984, huge lines of police clashed with striking miners as they tried to stop trucks carrying coke for fuel. Scunthorpe steel furnaces. 

Violence broke out and at one stage police horses were sent to charge the crowd in the field, with officers following them to make arrests.

Police said they were hit with rocks and bottles and had to react to protect yourself. The miners said they were protesting peacefully when police laid charges.

Striking miners applaud police on the picket line. Photo: Shutterstock

In June 1991, South Yorkshire Police paid £425,000 in compensation to 39 miners for assault, wrongful arrest, false detention and malicious prosecution.

Following the 2016 verdict in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster Inquiry year, previously censored documents were published suggesting a link between the actions of senior police officers in both incidents.

The manifesto also contained the Hillsborough Act, which would impose a legal duty of candor on all public servants and government officials, requiring them to tell the truth in inquests, inquiries and public inquiries. Any officer who fails to tell the truth faces disciplinary action and possible dismissal.

The change will be aimed at preventing a repeat of the Hillsborough disaster, when officers falsely claimed drunken Liverpool fans were to blame for the tragedy.

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The manifesto also promised to appoint a new Windrush commissioner who would ensure victims' voices were heard and that the compensation scheme was working effectively.

The manifesto also promised new laws that would see tech company executives face up to two years in prison conclusions in case of banning zombie knives. and machetes were sold on their platforms.

Labour plans to introduce similar measures as in the Internet Safety Act to hold executives personally accountable through «tough penalties» if their firms breach rules on selling ninja and zombie swords . blades and machetes. The party has pledged to halve knife crime in ten years if it comes to power.

Women will have the right to know the identities of their online stalkers under new protection from stalking orders. a new criminal exploitation offense to combat county gangs and other gangs that lure young people into violence and crime.