Orgreave probe set to take place, report claims

A delegation from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign met Home Secretary Amber Rudd on Tuesday to press the case for an inquiry.

Campaigners were told a decision would be made by the end of October but according to The Times, Ms Rudd is set to give the go-ahead and appoint a lawyer in October to assess material relating to the trouble.

She wants to push ahead with an investigation that delivers answers that are ‘complete’ but does not want ‘something that could drag on for years’, a source told the newspaper.

Around 6,000 officers are alleged to have used excessive force to suppress a miners’ strike at Orgreave.

A total of 95 miners were charged following the clashes but their trial collapsed.

South Yorkshire Police referred itself to the IPCC in 2012 over allegations officers colluded to write court statements.

The watchdog later said the passage of time prevented a formal investigation but that there was ’support’ for the allegation that senior police exaggerated pickets’ use of violence.

A Home Office spokesman said a decision has not yet been made.