Battle of Orgreave 30th Anniversary: IPCC Condemned for Failing to Launch Police Misconduct Investigation

Shadow Secretary Yvette Cooper is the latest to criticise the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for not launching an investigation into allegations of police misconduct during 1984's Battle of Orgreave.

Speaking on the 30<sup>th anniversary of the clashes between striking miners and the police, Cooper said the police watchdog "just isn't doing its job" after failing to launch an inquiry or reach a decision more than 18 months after it began looking through evidence.

South Yorkshire Police referred its handling of the Orgreave clashes – considered the most violent incident during the entire miner's strike – following a BBC documentary which criticised officer's actions on the day.

Allegations made in the documentary include claims officers were told what to write in their statements following the clashes, as well as allegations of assault, perjury, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office.

Cooper has now launched a damming attack on the IPCC for failing to find "the full truth" 30 years after the violence occurred.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, she said: "The events at Orgreave were amongst the most troubling of the entire 1984-85 Miners' Strike. Those who were there have distressing stories of violence. Those who weren't saw the TV images of blooded faces, charging horses, of kicks and punches.

"The aftermath threw up more questions than answers with the collapse of the attempted prosecution of 95 miners on riot charges, allegations that witness statements had been changed and the pay out by South Yorkshire Police of nearly half a million pounds to 39 miners who had sued for assault.

She added: "South Yorkshire Police asked the IPCC to look into the allegations. I called on the IPCC to do an inquiry.

"But since then we have had silence. The IPCC haven't even decided whether to investigate or not. How on earth can it take them 18 months even to make up their minds whether to look into it or not? This isn't fair on the Orgreave miners, the local community or the police."

Cooper's comments follow Labour Leader Ed Miliband's calls for a "proper investigation" into what happened at Orgreave.

"The IPCC is looking into whether they should investigate," he added. "We want them to do the right thing."

Around 10,000 miners clashed with 5,000 police during the Battle of Orgreave in 1984. According to police, 72 officers were injured, as well as 51 strikers.