‘No apology’ to mining communities

MINISTERS WILL not apologise for the treatment of mining communities by Margaret Thatcher’s government during the 1984-85 miners’ strike because it was held without a proper national ballot, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude has said.

Mr Maude said those campaigning for reconciliation and transparency will have to wait to see any Cabinet papers from the time of the strike when they are released under the 30-year rule.

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Michael Dugher had demanded an apology and full disclosure of documents and communication between Thatcher’s government and the police during the strike to address the widespread sense of injustice among former mining communities.

Mr Maude said that the papers would be released in the normal way and no apology would be forthcoming.

During Cabinet Office questions in the Commons, Mr Maude said: “The documents will be released in the usual way under the law that was passed under the last government.

“I was representing a coal mining constituency during the miners’ strike.

“I saw first-hand the violence, the intimidation, the divided communities, in a dispute that took place without a proper national ballot being held.

“So you asked for an apology — no.”

Picture: PA. The mining communities will get no apology from ministers.