Police disposal of miner strike files 'worrying'
PAA police force's disposal of documents relating to the miners' strike is "deeply worrying", the leader of the House of Commons has said.
Information about the so-called Battle of Orgreave is said to be among the two boxes which were disposed of by Northumbria Police in April 2024, with the force saying it was acting in line with data protection rules.
Lucy Powell said anyone involved in the strikes "must retain the records" and provide information when demanded after north-east England Labour MP Ian Lavery raised concerns.
The violent clash in June 1984 outside a coking plant in Orgreave, South Yorkshire, led to many miners being injured and arrested, although their trials later collapsed.
In its manifesto, Labour pledged to ensure, through an investigation or inquiry, that "the truth about the events at Orgreave comes to light".
Thousands of miners were bussed to the coking works on 18 June 1984 by the National Union of Mineworkers, where they were met by an estimated 6,000 police officers from across the country.
At least 120 miners and police officers were injured in the violence. Ninety-five picketers were arrested.
'Who gave permission to destroy?'
Speaking during business questions, Lavery, MP for Blyth and Ashington, said it was "extremely disturbing news" that Northumbria Police had "destroyed all documents relating to the miners' strike, including Orgreave".
He said: "The Labour government have pledged an inquiry through investigation into these events, yet the wanton destruction of this vital and critical evidence has been allowed to happen.
"Is this a sinister attempt to obscure justice? I'm not sure if anybody is prepared to answer that question.
"Who gave the permission to destroy these documents and what's behind it?"
PALavery called for an "urgent debate" into how the government could instruct all police forces, local authorities and anyone with details about the miners strike and on Orgreave to retain their records.
"Justice cannot be served if the evidence is systematically and deliberately destroyed," he said.
Ms Powell replied: "This sounds like a deeply, deeply worrying development in this case, and I am sure the whole House will be shocked to hear it."
She called on anyone involved to retain their records related to the violence.
News of the destroyed boxes came to light following a freedom of information request from Joe Diviney, a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield, which was initially reported in the Guardian.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "We can confirm two boxes containing data in relation to the miners' strike were disposed of in April 2024 following a formal review, retain or disposal process in line with force policy and the Data Protection Act 2018."