Shadow Scottish Secretary Dave Anderson joins calls for Scottish inquiry into policing of miners’ strike

Mine: Frances Colliery by Bob the Lomond

Shadow Scottish Secretary Dave Anderson has joined growing calls for a Scottish inquiry into policing of the miners’ strike in the 1980s.

The Labour MP for Blaydon visited retired miners at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange, Midlothian, today to lend his voice to a campaign for an investigation into historical convictions.

Thousands of miners and police clashed in the strikes, with nearly 500 Scottish miners convicted between 1984 and 1985.

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The campaign has been revived following a decision by Home Secretary Amber Rudd last week not to hold such an investigation into policing at Orgreave in South Yorkshire.

Anderson accused Rudd of “protecting” the then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Calls for an inquiry grew after the inquests into the Hillsborough football stadium disaster revealed that police decisions and behaviour had contributed to the deaths of 96 people.

However, Rudd told the Commons “ultimately there were no deaths or wrongful convictions” during the most violent day of the year-long 1984-85 miners' strike.

Anderson, a former miner himself, said the SNP had a chance to “lead the way” by holding an inquiry.

“Last week, SNP MPs quite rightly lambasted Amber Rudd for her decision not to hold an inquiry into Orgreave. However, they refuse to act in Scotland when they have the power to do so,” he said.

"The decision by the Scottish Government to refuse to hold an inquiry looks weak and untenable. Ministers should order an inquiry and they should do it now.”

Lothians Labour MSP Neil Findlay has lodged a Scottish Parliament motion calling for the inquiry.

“SNP Justice Secretary Michael Mathieson could take the lead across the UK and order an inquiry into the policing of the strike and a review of the convictions of the men and women who believe they were victims of a miscarriage of justice - or he can side with the Tories,” Findlay said.

He has called for a Scottish inquiry for a number of years, pointing to major flashpoints at Hunterston Power Station in North Ayrshire and the Ravenscraig plant in Lanarkshire, where 292 were arrested.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has backed the need for an investigation, but urged the UK Government to publish advice to police at the time.

“The UK Government must review and publish all papers it holds regarding the then government's involvement in the policing of the strike. This would provide transparency in relation to the concerns that have been raised,” he said.