Adam condemns refusal to hold miners' strike public enquiry
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THE refusal by the UK government to hold a public enquiry into the events of the miners' strike has been slammed by a north-east MSP.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast SNP MSP Karen Adam, who sits on the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee (EHRC), has spoken out following the decision made by Home Secretary Priti Patel not to undertake a public enquiry into the events relating to the bitter 1984-85 dispute.
As a member of the EHRC, she has participated in the deliberations and listened to the lived experience impacting upon the progress and eventual legislative assent of the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill. The Bill received Royal Assent with the legislation taking effect from July 27. The Scottish Government had decided to commission an independent review into the impact of policing on mining communities during the strike and that review recommended a pardon which ultimately led to the Scottish Parliament endorsing the Bill unanimously, with cross party support.
Ms Adam said: “I wished to condemn the Westminster decision not to carry out a public enquiry, and reflect my dismay (not least in light of the cross party progress in the work culminating in the Miners Strike (Pardons) legislation in Scotland.
"As Justice Minister Keith Brown has reiterated in a letter sent to the Home Secretary, the disappointment I have will be shared by many former miners and their families who still seek answers to the unresolved questions which remain for them to this day.”
The EHRC took extensive evidence from strikers, the police and community organisations, legal advisors and other stakeholders during the course of their deliberations. Policing matters are devolved in Scotland now, but they were not devolved during the period of the strike.
“Listening to the lived experienced of all those in local communities that were affected by the strike was an experience I shall never forget," Ms Adam continued.
"Whilst a child at the time, I well remember the news coverage and the harrowing scenes of despair and upheaval taking place. I recalled back then and from a distance, the undoubted physical and mental trauma that everyone involved – whether for or against the strike or indifferent – had to endure, and that included the impact it had on families, communities and individuals.
"The panel evidence and discussion meant revisiting that pain, hardship and suffering for many witnesses.
“It was clear from the evidence, that for many they are still traumatised by the events and it was no mean feat for then to relive and retell those experiences. An uncovering of the truth of what happened during the strike – and the taking of responsibility for decisions made – are important to the people still affected by the strike.”
The Scottish Government is now calling for a UK public inquiry into the events of the strike and is not limited to its policing. It is a call also to address the management of the strike and the issue of payment of compensation. Employment, Trade and Industrial Relations matters remain reserved to Westminster and responsibility for the decisions taken at the time by the National Coal Board (NCB) still lies firmly with the UK government. In addition, only the UK government can address any allegations of political interference during the strike by a previous UK government.
In his letter to the Home Secretary, Keith Brown MSP argued that the release of files and the passage of time since the strike should not be used as an excuse by the UK government for not undertaking a UK inquiry. In addition, he states that the changes which have taken place in oversight and accountability in policing over the intervening years across the UK – while very welcome – do not obviate the need for an inquiry.
/ENDS
