Terms of Reference

Introduction

  1. Events at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984 were a pivotal moment in the nationwide miners’ strike of 1984 to 1985. They have had a lasting impact on those present and on their families and communities, as well as on the relationship between policing and the
    mining community more widely.
  2. Whilst there have been significant changes in the oversight of policing since 1984, including to public order policing and practices, questions about the specific events of Orgreave remain unanswered.

Scope

  1. The purpose of this Inquiry is to aid public understanding of the events at Orgreave Coking Plant on 18 June 1984 and the subsequent prosecutions of those arrested on the day. The Inquiry will seek to establish an overall picture of:
    1. planning undertaken by the police and government for the policing of the demonstration at Orgreave on 18 June 1984, including relevant decision-making, in the lead up to the day;
    2. the events at Orgreave on the day of 18 June 1984, the immediate aftermath and lasting impact on individuals and communities, including the subsequent public narrative which developed; and
    3. charging decisions and prosecutions relating to those arrested in relation to the events at Orgreave on 18 June 1984.

Key considerations

  1. Following consultation with the Chair, it has been agreed that a primary objective of the Inquiry will be to oversee the disclosure of contemporaneous historical material with a view to establishing a picture of the above events. It will:
    1. seek disclosure of any materials and information that it deems relevant to the above scope; and
    2. establish a publicly available digital archive of all disclosed material (subject to any necessary redactions or closures for legal, national security, or other public interest reasons).
  2. The scope of disclosure is intended to cover any relevant material held by individuals or organisations, including policing, central and local government, unions, media outlets and any other relevant public or private bodies.
  3. This will be a statutory inquiry, established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with full use of the powers available in that Act to ensure it can require all relevant information and evidence be produced to it.
  4. It is expected that the Inquiry will ensure that there are opportunities to gather evidence from those impacted. How this is achieved is a matter for the Chair.

Reporting

  1. The Inquiry will engage proactively with those most affected to ensure that their views are taken into account in its final report. The Chair will produce a written update to the Secretary of State for the Home Department after 12 months which the Home Office will make publicly available online.
  2. The Inquiry should aim to provide a final report to the Secretary of State for the Home Department within 24 months. The Inquiry may make recommendations for any actions it feels are necessary to address issues arising from this work.