Police's disposal of miners' strike documents ‘deeply worrying'
Information related to the so-called Battle of Orgreave is said to be among the two boxes which were disposed of by the force in April 2024.
Lucy Powell said anyone involved in the strikes 'must retain the records' and come forward with information when asked to, after Labour MP Ian Lavery raised concerns in the Commons.
In its manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to ensure, through an investigation or inquiry, 'that the truth about the events at Orgreave comes to light'.
The violent confrontation in June 1984 outside a coking plant in Orgreave, South Yorkshire, led to many miners being injured and arrested, although their trials later collapsed.
Speaking during business questions, Mr Lavery said it was 'extremely disturbing news that Northumbria Police has destroyed all documents relating to the miners' strike, including Orgreave'.
The MP for Blyth and Ashington said: 'It is absolutely alarming.
'The Labour Government have pledged an inquiry through investigation into these events, yet the wanton destruction of this vital and critical evidence has been allowed to happen.
'Is this a sinister attempt to obscure justice? I'm not sure if anybody is prepared to answer that question.
'Who gave the permission to destroy these documents and what's behind it?
'Can we have an urgent debate into how the Government can instruct all police forces, all authorities, everyone that holds any detail on the miners' strike and on Orgreave (to) make sure that they retain and maintain that evidence, for when the Labour Government maintains its pledge for an inquiry into the events that happened in 1984.
'Because justice cannot be served if the evidence is systematically and deliberately destroyed.'
Ms Powell replied: 'This sounds like a deeply, deeply worrying development in this case, and I am sure the whole House will be shocked to hear it.
'He has campaigned for justice and for answers in relation to what happened at Orgreave, 41 years ago, raised it with me last week. I will continue to raise that with ministers on his behalf.
'And I would join him in saying to people, anyone involved, that they must retain the records and they must come forward, as they would be expected to do when those questions are asked, with every bit of information they've got on what happened.'
News of the destroyed boxes came to light following a freedom of information request from Joe Diviney, a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield, the Guardian reports.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: 'We can confirm two boxes containing data in relation to the miners' strike were disposed of in April 2024 following a formal review, retain or disposal process in line with force policy and the Data Protection Act 2018.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'Keir Starmer underestimated opposition to DWP disability benefit cuts'
Just under a year ago, Keir Starmer strode into Downing Street with cheers ringing his ears, having won a landslide victory. But tonight he found that having a massive majority isn't always enough. Downing Street underestimated how strongly backbenchers opposed these cuts, despite the clear warning signs. For months I'd been hearing how unhappy MPs were, concerns echoed by Labour's trade union backers, party members and Mirror readers. Most Labour MPs accept the welfare bill is too high, and agree that people need help to get back into work. But the PM and his ministers failed to convince them that cutting Personal Independence Payments - an in-work benefit - was the way to achieve this. The Government blew a lot of political capital on its disastrous decision to cut the winter fuel allowance. And the recent U-turn gave Labour MPs hope that they could persuade the PM into another rethink. The decision will be some relief for hundreds of thousands of disabled people left terrified about what cuts to these lifeline benefits would mean. But making these concessions is a major blow to Mr Starmer's authority - particularly so early on in premiership. One of the PM's biggest problems is the disconnect between what the Government is doing - and what the voters thought they were getting. Plenty of Labour MPs feel that they didn't sign up to take disability benefits from vulnerable people. And they've been left to face angry constituents who think this wasn't what they voted for. Another problem has been Mr Starmer has been forced to dedicate so much attention to foreign affairs. Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday. A senior figure in No10 expressed frustration to me that he had to go to both the G7 summit in Canada and the NATO gathering in the Netherlands in quick succession, when they needed him in London. After arriving back on Wednesday night, Mr Starmer spent much of today locked in talks with backbenchers to avert a damaging Commons defeat next week. Time will tell if the offer made to rebels is enough. Mr Starmer has been dealt a difficult hand, with Donald Trump causing chaos and tensions spiralling in the Middle East. But he must bear responsibility for problems at home - and pointing to the dire Tory legacy won't cut it any more.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Government expected to unveil welfare concessions after talks with Labour rebels
Number 10 had been locked in crisis talks with backbenchers after some 126 MPs within the party signed an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks. On Thursday night, sources said a deal was being thrashed out between leading rebels and the Government as it seeks to head off the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat in a crunch vote next week. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it. If the legislation clears its first hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill. The Government's original package restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. Existing claimants were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. However, concessions offered by the Government to save the Bill from defeat are understood to include a commitment that those currently receiving Pip will continue to get the allowance. This would protect some 370,000 existing claimants who were expected to lose out following reassessment. Ministers had hoped the reforms would get more people back into work and save up to £5 billion a year, but fresh changes such as these would leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves needing to find more money elsewhere. Rebels had also been calling for the Government to row back on a freeze in the health element of universal credit, which was expected to lead to a £450 real decline in support for some 2.2 million existing claimants. The Government had earlier said it was listening to suggestions to improve the legislation amid concerns about the swift timetable of the Bill. The so-called 'reasoned amendment' led by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir told MPs he wanted the reforms to demonstrate 'Labour values of fairness' and that discussions about the changes would continue over the coming days. He said there was 'consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform' of the 'broken' welfare system. 'I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I,' he said. 'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. 'That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday.' There was mixed reaction among charities to the prospect of concessions. Learning disability charity Mencap said the news would be a 'huge relief to thousands of people living in fear of what the future holds'. 'It is the right thing to do and sends a clear message – cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse,' director of strategy Jackie O'Sullivan said. But the MS Society urged rebels to hold firm and block the Bill, insisting any Government offer to water down the reforms would amount to 'kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster'. Head of campaigns at the charity, Charlotte Gill, said: 'We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last ditch attempts to force through a harmful Bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the Bill in its tracks.' The Tories described concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. 'We can't afford Labour.'
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Government expected to unveil welfare concessions after talks with Labour rebels
Number 10 had been locked in crisis talks with backbenchers after some 126 MPs within the party signed an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks. On Thursday night, sources said a deal was being thrashed out between leading rebels and the Government as it seeks to head off the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat in a crunch vote next week. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has its second reading on Tuesday, the first opportunity for MPs to support or reject it. If the legislation clears its first hurdle, it will then face a few hours' examination by all MPs the following week – rather than days or weeks in front of a committee tasked with looking at the Bill. The Government's original package restricted eligibility for the personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limited the sickness-related element of universal credit. Existing claimants were to be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support in an earlier move that was seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. However, concessions offered by the Government to save the Bill from defeat are understood to include a commitment that those currently receiving Pip will continue to get the allowance. This would protect some 370,000 existing claimants who were expected to lose out following reassessment. Ministers had hoped the reforms would get more people back into work and save up to £5 billion a year, but fresh changes such as these would leave Chancellor Rachel Reeves needing to find more money elsewhere. Rebels had also been calling for the Government to row back on a freeze in the health element of universal credit, which was expected to lead to a £450 real decline in support for some 2.2 million existing claimants. The Government had earlier said it was listening to suggestions to improve the legislation amid concerns about the swift timetable of the Bill. The so-called 'reasoned amendment' led by Treasury select committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier had argued that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. Speaking in the Commons earlier, Sir Keir told MPs he wanted the reforms to demonstrate 'Labour values of fairness' and that discussions about the changes would continue over the coming days. He said there was 'consensus across the House on the urgent need for reform' of the 'broken' welfare system. 'I know colleagues across the House are eager to start fixing that, and so am I, and that all colleagues want to get this right, and so do I,' he said. 'We want to see reform implemented with Labour values of fairness. 'That conversation will continue in the coming days, so we can begin making change together on Tuesday.' The Tories described the expected concessions as 'the latest in a growing list of screeching U-turns' from the Government. Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said: 'Under pressure from his own MPs Starmer has made another completely unfunded spending commitment. 'Labour's welfare chaos will cost hardworking taxpayers. 'We can't afford Labour.'
