Sheffield Lord Mayor, Magid Magid, has written an open letter to the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, in support of demands by miners and their families for a public enquiry into the Battle of Orgreave. Javid’s predecessor Amber Rudd ruled out an enquiry. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
As justice campaigners mark 34 years since the Battle of Orgreave, former miner Kevin Horne shared his recollections of the day with Sheffield Live! Baillor Jalloh reports.
Hundreds joined a rally to mark the 34th anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave as campaigners continue to make the case for a public enquiry. In October 2016 Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced there would be no public enquiry but campaigners, including Brightside and Hillsborough MP, Gill Furniss, are calling on the Government and new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to think again. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live
Truth and justice campaign marks one year on from being rebuffed by Home Secretary Amber Rudd in their demand for an independent inquiry in to the events and aftermath of the Battle of Orgreave. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!
To mark the 33rd anniversary of the Battle of Orgreave hundreds marched with banners down Orgreave Lane as campaigners maintain their demand for a public enquiry into allegations of police misconduct. The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign was formed to shed light into the policing of Orgreave on 18 June 1984 when dozens of miners were arrested on serious charges, later dropped as allegations emerged of fabricated evidence and police brutality. Last year Home Secretary Amber Rudd decided against a public inquiry. Speakers at the rally included Yvette Cooper, Labour MP and chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Hundreds of Orgreave justice campaigners joined a ‘noisy protest’ outside the Home Office on Marsham Street, London. The demonstration was organised by the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and brought together trade unionists, campaigners and former miners. It follows the Home Secretary’s decision last year, not to grant an independent public inquiry into police brutality against striking miners at the Orgreave coking plant in June 1984. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
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Twelve months on from submitting a legal dossier to the Home Office, the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign have renewed their call for a full enquiry into the Battle of Orgreave. The campaign responded in December 2015 to a Home Office request for evidence concerning allegations of police brutality and wrongdoing against picketing miners at the Orgreave coking plant on 18 June 1984. The legal dossier included information relating to complaints of police fabrication of evidence, wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and perjury. One year on members of the campaign made their way to London to protest current Home Secretary Amber Rudd’s decision not to hold a public inquiry into the events or Orgreave. The Home Office has said that it will additional files on the 1984 miners’ strike in early 2017, including information relating to Orgreave. Simon Thake reports for SheffieldLive!
Justice campaigners have reacted cautiously to the government announcement of the planned release in 2017 of previously secret files on the miners’ strike including documents relating to the Battle of Orgreave. In a letter to the Home Affairs Select Committee, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said thirty files relating to the UK miners’ strike would be sent to the National Archives. The subject titles show at least one file relates directly to Orgreave. In October the Home Secretary ruled out an inquiry into the 1984 clashes between miners and police at the Yorkshire coking site. Campaigners have said officers led by South Yorkshire Police were heavy-handed and manufactured statements. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Orgreave campaigner Craig Mansell and Councillor Chris Peace.
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign are to seek a judicial review of the decision not to hold an enquiry into the events of 1984. Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced that the government would not open a new investigation into the Battle of Orgreave. The Orgreave campaign, which has been seeking a Hillsborough style enquiry, held a press conference at the National Union Of Mineworkers headquarters in Barnsley. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Orgreave campaign press officer Granville Williams.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings spoke exclusively on Sheffield Live! this week on the prospects and scope of a new Orgreave enquiry. The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign has reiterated the need for a full and thorough inquiry this week while Home Secretary Amber Rudd is expected to announce her intentions by the end of this month. Billings, appearing on Talking Sheffield with Sheffield Live! presenter Nigel Slack explained that he is full supportive of a new inquiry but also stressed the need to learn lessons from the Hillsborough inquiry and therefore for any new investigation to be kept relatively short.