UPDATE: A Home Office minister has urgently called for the preservation of crucial records related to the Battle of Orgreave, a violent confrontation during the 1984 miners’ strike. Lord Hanson of Flint stated that documents “should not be going missing or being destroyed” after it was confirmed that Northumbria Police disposed of two boxes of records last April.
This revelation has sparked outrage, prompting Northumbria Police to commit to an investigation into the document disposal. Local MP Ian Lavery described the destruction of these records as “extremely disturbing,” highlighting the importance of transparency regarding historical events.
Lord Hanson made his comments during a session in the House of Lords, stressing the ongoing inquiry into Orgreave, chaired by Rt Rev Dr Peter Wilcox, the Bishop of Sheffield. He emphasized that if records exist, they must be made available for the inquiry, which is expected to shed light on police conduct during the infamous clashes on June 18, 1984.
“If papers are available then they should be available to the inquiry and should not be going missing or being destroyed,” said Lord Hanson.
The inquiry, set to launch this autumn, will investigate the events at the coking plant in South Yorkshire that resulted in 120 injuries and the arrest of 95 picketers, all of whom had their charges dropped after evidence was discredited.
Historically, campaigners have demanded accountability regarding police tactics used during the miners’ strike, alleging that striking miners faced assault and false arrests. The government’s inquiry aims to unravel these allegations and ensure that the truth about the events at Orgreave is established.
In response to the growing concerns, Lord Hanson pointed out that the College of Policing introduced a new code of practice on record-keeping in 2023, intended to enhance transparency and accountability following the inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster.
This situation highlights the critical need for law enforcement agencies to maintain accurate historical records, balancing public interest with data protection regulations. The forthcoming inquiry promises to be a significant step toward addressing the long-standing calls for justice and accountability surrounding the Orgreave incident.
As developments unfold, the public and campaigners remain on high alert for further updates regarding the inquiry and the preservation of vital historical records related to this pivotal moment in British history.
