Battle of Orgreave documents 'to be released next year'

Documents relating to the Battle of Orgreave are expected to be released next year among a cache of files relating to the 1984 miners' strike, it has been reported.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Home Affairs Select Committee in a letter that 30 files would be released to the National Archives.

According to the BBC the subject titles suggest at least one file relates to the clash between police and strikers that became one of the bloodiest events of the dispute.

A further three files are said to be under consideration for release by the Home Office.

Ms Rudd came under fire from campaigners when she announced in October that there would not be a parliamentary inquiry into the events.

Vera Baird, police and crime commissioner of Northumbria Police and a former Labour MP for Redcar, who acted for miners when she was a barrister, previously said she was "concerned" that the Home Office was still holding the files in light of Ms Rudd's decision.

The so-called Battle of Orgreave saw police deploy horseback charges and baton-wielding "snatch squads" as 6,000 officers from around the country attempted to prevent striking miners from blocking deliveries at a South Yorkshire coking plant.

Some 95 people were charged with riot and violent disorder, but cases collapsed and South Yorkshire Police were later required to pay compensation.

Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, told the BBC: "The Home Secretary's agreement to make public 30 further files on Orgreave is welcome.

"We are seeking further information and I have now written to a further 18 police forces involved in policing the incident to ask what related written information they hold which is not in the public domain."

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