On Wednesday 15 April, the Chair of the Orgreave Inquiry and Panel
members visited the Orgreave site, near Rotherham.
The visit formed part of the Inquiry’s preparatory work, intended to assist the
Chair and Panel in understanding the layout, geography and physical context
of the location where events took place on 18 June 1984. It came at the end
of an inaugural meeting in Sheffield, in which the panel members were
introduced to one another and to principal members of the secretariat and
legal team and engaged in an initial exploration of how we will gather and
interrogate evidence.
During the visit, the Chair and Panel viewed key areas of the site and its
surroundings, including locations relevant to movement, access routes and
the spatial relationship between different parts of the site. The visit was
observational in nature and no evidence was taken.
Commenting on the visit, the Chair of the Inquiry said:
“Visiting the Orgreave site has been an important part of our preparatory work.
It allows the Panel and I to better understand the physical setting in which
events unfolded, which will assist us as the Inquiry progresses”.
Site visits are a routine feature of statutory inquiries and are undertaken to
support the Panel’s understanding of the historical and physical context of
events under investigation. They do not involve the assessment of witness
evidence or the formation of findings.
The Inquiry recognises the significance of Orgreave for many people and
communities, particularly former miners, residents and others affected by the
events of 1984.
The visit was carried out respectfully and as part of the Inquiry’s objective and
independent approach.
Further updates on the Inquiry’s work, including the Call for Evidence and the
next stages of the Inquiry process, will be published on this website in due
course.
ENDS