‘Release’ Orgreave secret files plea
Secret files that could contain information about the Orgreave clash between striking miners and police should be examined to assess whether they can be made public, an influential Commons committee has said.
Miners from the North East were among those from across the country who were caught up in the infamous events of June 1984.
A series of intelligence reports and other files relating to the miners’ strike, previously held by the nowdefunct Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), are categorised as containing “personal sensitive information” and closed until 2066.
Home Affairs Select Committee chairwoman Yvette Cooper has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, asking her to set up a review of the files to see whether they can be released, with redactions if necessary.
The Government has ruled out holding an inquiry into the events at Orgreave, in South Yorkshire, in June 1984.
Scores of miners were charged over the violence, and many were injured, although all charges were later dropped. Labour MP Ms Cooper said: “People want to know the truth about what happened at Orgreave, especially in the coalfields.
“Little by little, our questions are uncovering what files and information are still held. Some of the intelligence files we have identified are being withheld until 2066.
“We have asked the Home Secretary to get those files independently reviewed to see if they can be released instead.”
The committee contacted 18 forces that contributed to policing at the coking plant as well as the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which replaced ACPO.
The Metropolitan Police was asked if it held the operational policing plan for the day on which the confrontation took place, but Scotland Yard said operations on the day were led by South Yorkshire Police.