Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Orgreave Inquiry 2025-07-22

22 July 2025 · 16 other contributors

Opened by Diana Johnson Lab Labour

Crime & Law EnforcementParliamentary ProcedureReligion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Diana Johnson raised concerns about orgreave inquiry 2025-07-22 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister announces establishment of a statutory inquiry into the 1984 Orgreave coking plant clashes.
  • Home Secretary visited the site recently with campaigners and Members of Parliament.
  • Bishop of Sheffield will chair the inquiry, backed by a panel of independent experts.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Diana Johnson

Today, I am announcing the establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate events surrounding the clashes at the Orgreave coking plant in June 1984. The Home Secretary visited the site last week with campaigners and Members of this House, marking our commitment to truth and justice for those affected by the violent clashes. The Bishop of Sheffield will chair the inquiry, supported by a panel of independent experts. This Labour Government committed to establishing such an inquiry in our manifesto, addressing questions that have remained unanswered for over four decades. The inquiry will aid public understanding of how these events occurred and ensure access to all relevant information. We aim to launch it in the autumn, delivering swiftly while ensuring no undue impact on individuals' wellbeing.

Other contributors (16)
  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Question

    Why is this inquiry necessary now when previous Labour Governments did not consider it essential? What lessons will the inquiry provide for today's policing system?

    Minister reply

    We are delivering on our manifesto commitment to ensure a thorough investigation into Orgreave. The purpose of the inquiry is to aid public understanding of how these events occurred, addressing decades-long questions from communities affected by the clashes.

  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Question

    Will you outline what delivering a proportionate and meaningful inquiry will cost?

    Minister reply

    The Home Office will meet the cost of the inquiry. We aim to ensure it is expeditious and value for money, following the model set by the Hillsborough independent inquiry.

  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Question

    Can you assure that the inquiry will not be political in nature and listen to all parties present on the day?

    Minister reply

    The Bishop of Sheffield, who is a respected figure with credibility and impartiality, will chair the inquiry. We are committed to ensuring it is fair and independent.

  • Matt Vickers Con Stockton West

    Question

    Given your initial refusal to do so, why has the Government prioritised this inquiry over others, such as those regarding child sexual exploitation?

    Minister reply

    We are delivering on our manifesto commitment. The Home Secretary will engage with stakeholders to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

  • Josh Babarinde Lib Dem Eastbourne

    Question

    The Liberal Democrats welcome the statutory inquiry into events at Orgreave but are concerned about the involvement of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Will the Minister provide more details on how local communities, campaigners, and impacted miners will be involved throughout the inquiry?

    Minister reply

    We have already engaged in consultation with stakeholders including the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, NUM, South Yorkshire Police, Mayor of South Yorkshire, and interested parties such as Michael Mansfield KC and academics. Further ongoing consultation is taking place on the terms of reference.

  • Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam

    Question

    Does the Minister agree that Orgreave is political? The inquiry should be put on a statutory footing to allow documents to be demanded and witnesses compelled to give evidence.

    Minister reply

    Orgreave was indeed a very political event during the miners' strike, and it is important to recognise this context. Placing the inquiry on a statutory footing will ensure that all relevant documents can be demanded and witnesses compelled to testify.

  • Jeremy Corbyn Ind Islington North

    Question

    Will the terms of reference allow evidence to be taken under oath, and from wherever it needs to be taken? How long does the Minister expect the inquiry to take to report? Are interim reports possible?

    Minister reply

    The chair will consider the right hon. Gentleman’s comments on what he would like to see in the terms of reference. The initial timeframe was around two years, but we do not want to prevent thorough evidence collection.

  • Grahame Morris Lab Easington

    Question

    As chair of the coalfields group of Labour MPs, I welcome this statement and know that Orgreave Truth and Justice campaigners would have been present had they had more notice.

    Minister reply

    I appreciate the support from Grahame Morris and the Coalfields Group of Labour MPs. The announcement is indeed an historic moment for those impacted by events at Orgreave.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Does she appreciate that, similar to the prosecution of veterans and service personnel in Northern Ireland, asking a retired officer why he made a split-second decision 40 years ago can be incredibly distressing and upsetting for those officers who are now elderly? What support will the Minister offer them to enable them to cope with re-traumatisation?

    Minister reply

    This is not the first time a Minister has had to stand here and agree to an inquiry into events that happened long ago. The hon. Gentleman’s point about those who will be called to give testimony to the inquiry, I know that the bishop will be considering what support should be provided to help witnesses, whether they are police officers or picketers and their families.

  • Mary Kelly Foy Lab City of Durham

    Question

    Does the Minister share my frustration at the length of time it has taken for the House to invoke such a crucial inquiry? Will she commit herself to investigating the role and involvement of central Government in the planning and instruction on how to allocate resources—financial and otherwise—in the lead-up to, during and after that day?

    Minister reply

    I bitterly regret the fact that it has taken so long for the inquiry to be established. We should have been looking at this far earlier. I think it helpful that Members are expressing their views about what should be covered by the terms of reference for the inquiry, because I know that the bishop will want to note what the House and its Members have to say.

  • Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South

    Question

    Can the Minister confirm that this inquiry will have a statutory power to compel witnesses to provide evidence so that politics does not get in the way of uncovering the truth once and for all?

    Minister reply

    I can absolutely confirm that this is a statutory inquiry, with all the legal powers that a statutory inquiry has to compel the provision of documents and of evidence from witnesses and to go wherever the evidence leads it.

  • Kim Johnson Lab Liverpool Riverside

    Question

    Given serious concerns about evidence that has been destroyed, tampered with or withheld, will the Minister confirm that any inquiry will be underpinned by a clear legal duty of candour to guarantee full transparency and accountability on the part of all those involved, including the police and former Government officials?

    Minister reply

    We gave careful consideration to the role played by the Hillsborough independent inquiry. I take my hon. Friend’s point about the duty of candour, and work is being done on putting that into statute, but the bishop will be looking at all these issues.

  • Warinder Juss Lab Wolverhampton West

    Question

    If the inquiry reveals evidence of misconduct and wrongdoing, will necessary action be taken to ensure lessons are learned?

    Minister reply

    Once the inquiry has been established we must let it do its work and make its recommendations, and we will then seek to respond to those recommendations.

  • Josh Newbury Lab Cannock Chase

    Question

    Will my constituents, and ex-miners up and down the country, have an opportunity to contribute to the inquiry?

    Minister reply

    The bishop will listen carefully to comments made by Members. Some people would feel very comfortable talking about what happened, explaining and giving testimony, while others would not want to do that. It will be for the bishop to decide on the best way forward.

  • Laurence Turner Lab Birmingham Northfield

    Question

    Will the Department consider taking similar actions in advance of a decision concerning the preservation of potentially relevant documents related to the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings?

    Minister reply

    I am very happy to discuss this matter with my hon. Friend. Police forces are independent of Government and decisions concerning the management of their records are for them to make in accordance with their respective reviews and policies on retention and disposal.

Shadow Comment

Matt Vickers

I thank the Minister for her statement but question why this inquiry is necessary now when previous Labour Governments did not deem it essential. We must acknowledge the significant changes in policing since 1984 and ask if such an inquiry will provide meaningful lessons for today's policing system. I raise concerns about the chairman's impartiality, suggesting potential bias towards unions over police officers. Furthermore, given the Home Secretary's previous rejection of a similar request regarding victims of rape gangs, this raises questions about prioritisation and justice.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy