UK to launch inquiry into 1984 Orgreave miners' clash nearly four decades on

The British government has announced it will hold a formal inquiry into the notorious "Battle of Orgreave," a violent and deeply contentious confrontation between striking coal miners and riot police that took place in June 1984 during one of the most divisive industrial disputes in modern UK history.

The clash, which unfolded at the Orgreave coking plant near Sheffield, saw over 5,000 striking miners face off against a comparable number of police officers, many of whom had been deployed from across the country, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The episode became a defining and harrowing moment in the year-long miners' strike, which was sparked by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s drive to close financially unviable coal pits.

Described as one of the most violent episodes in the annals of British labour unrest, the events of June 18, 1984, have remained a source of deep controversy. Television footage from the day showed police officers on horseback charging into crowds and one miner being repeatedly struck on the head with a baton. More than 120 people were injured in the melee, and 95 miners were arrested and charged with riot and violent disorder—charges that were later dropped due to the dismissal of the evidence.

For decades, campaigners have called for a full investigation into what they allege was police brutality and political interference. Demands have also focused on uncovering who ordered the heavy police presence and the tactics used, as well as the whereabouts of certain official documents related to the operation.

Announcing the inquiry, newly appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was time to address the unanswered questions that have lingered for nearly 40 years.

“The violent scenes and subsequent prosecutions raised concerns that have been left unanswered for decades, and we must now establish what happened,” she said.

The inquiry will be led by the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, and is expected to examine the operational decisions made by law enforcement, as well as the broader political context in which the confrontation occurred.

Campaigners welcomed the announcement with cautious optimism. Kate Flannery, Secretary of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, stressed the need for transparency and full access to historical records.

“We have waited a long time for this day and this is really positive news,” she said. “We have to be sure that the inquiry has the powers to have unrestricted access to all government and police papers.”

By Vafa Guliyeva