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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Arthur Scargill calls for 1984 Orgreave arrest probe | Arthur Scargill calls for 1984 Orgreave arrest probe |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Former miners' union leader Arthur Scargill has written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to request an investigation into his arrest at Orgreave coke works in 1984. | Former miners' union leader Arthur Scargill has written to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to request an investigation into his arrest at Orgreave coke works in 1984. |
| Mr Scargill's letter alleges his arrest was planned by senior South Yorkshire Police officers and claims the force kept a "conspiracy file" on him. | Mr Scargill's letter alleges his arrest was planned by senior South Yorkshire Police officers and claims the force kept a "conspiracy file" on him. |
| The IPCC said it would consider the content of Mr Scargill's letter. | The IPCC said it would consider the content of Mr Scargill's letter. |
| South Yorkshire Police said it would assist the watchdog "in any way". | South Yorkshire Police said it would assist the watchdog "in any way". |
| Mr Scargill was arrested on 30 May 1984 at the coking plant in Rotherham. He was later found guilty of two charges of obstruction and fined £250. | Mr Scargill was arrested on 30 May 1984 at the coking plant in Rotherham. He was later found guilty of two charges of obstruction and fined £250. |
| On 18 June, 93 people were arrested after a confrontation between about 10,000 striking miners and some 5,000 police officers. | On 18 June, 93 people were arrested after a confrontation between about 10,000 striking miners and some 5,000 police officers. |
| The clash, which became known as the Battle of Orgreave, saw 51 miners and 72 police officers injured. | The clash, which became known as the Battle of Orgreave, saw 51 miners and 72 police officers injured. |
| 'Obvious then and now' | 'Obvious then and now' |
| In the letter to the IPCC, Mr Scargill said his lawyer had "accidentally seen a file marked Scargill Conspiracy File" during a visit to South Yorkshire Police headquarters following the arrest at Orgreave. | In the letter to the IPCC, Mr Scargill said his lawyer had "accidentally seen a file marked Scargill Conspiracy File" during a visit to South Yorkshire Police headquarters following the arrest at Orgreave. |
| He said that, as a result, his lawyer had advised him to "adopt a course of action to protect me physically and against any attempt at a 'stitch-up' by undercover officers". | He said that, as a result, his lawyer had advised him to "adopt a course of action to protect me physically and against any attempt at a 'stitch-up' by undercover officers". |
| Mr Scargill also claimed his lawyer was approached by a police officer at Rotherham County Court and told of a plot to arrest the union leader as soon as he arrived at Orgreave. | Mr Scargill also claimed his lawyer was approached by a police officer at Rotherham County Court and told of a plot to arrest the union leader as soon as he arrived at Orgreave. |
| He said "it was obvious then and it is obvious now that decisions were taken at the very highest level to arrest me, apparently on any charge, [when] I arrived at Orgreave". | He said "it was obvious then and it is obvious now that decisions were taken at the very highest level to arrest me, apparently on any charge, [when] I arrived at Orgreave". |
| Calling on the IPCC to investigate the claims, he said he was prepared to attend an interview. | Calling on the IPCC to investigate the claims, he said he was prepared to attend an interview. |
| Mr Scargill was not available for interview in relation to the letter. | Mr Scargill was not available for interview in relation to the letter. |
| A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "We are aware that Mr Scargill made a complaint to the force during the period of the Orgreave dispute. | |
| "There are additional elements within his letter that, to the best of our knowledge, have not been raised as a complaint with the force previously. | |
| "The force will assist the IPCC in any way following their consideration of the content." | "The force will assist the IPCC in any way following their consideration of the content." |
| South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the IPCC over the conduct of the force around the Orgreave confrontation after a BBC documentary claimed officers may have colluded in writing court statements. | South Yorkshire Police has referred itself to the IPCC over the conduct of the force around the Orgreave confrontation after a BBC documentary claimed officers may have colluded in writing court statements. |
| Last week, the police watchdog apologised for the lack of progress in the Orgreave investigation after a protest outside its Wakefield office by the campaigners from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign. | Last week, the police watchdog apologised for the lack of progress in the Orgreave investigation after a protest outside its Wakefield office by the campaigners from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign. |