A highly anticipated investigation is poised to look into one of the most contentious chapters of the miners’ dispute.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the MP for Torfaen, has given his backing to the Labour administration’s establishment of a statutory investigation into the 1984 Orgreave confrontations, during which violent clashes occurred between officers and workers who were on strike.

Led by the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, the investigation will examine the confrontations between police and picketing coal workers at Orgreave Coking Plant on June 18, 1984, which led to 95 detentions.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said this marked a moment long overdue for former miners, their relatives, and the communities who have campaigned relentlessly for fairness.

For many years, they have been refused clarity about what transpired at Orgreave.

The investigation will look into preparations made by police and government before the protest, the occurrences of that day and their consequences, and how those who were detained were treated, including the discontinuation of legal proceedings.

Though the miners faced accusations of rioting and unlawful assembly, every charge was subsequently withdrawn following the discrediting of police testimony.

Those campaigning for answers have spent many years pushing for an investigation.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said he honoured the campaigners who persisted without giving up.

This investigation represents a crucial step toward holding those responsible to account and toward mending relationships with communities that were badly mistreated for far too long.

Following years of inaction, it required a Labour administration to finally provide the responses that people are entitled to.

The scope of the investigation was formulated alongside the Chair following discussions with campaigners, police organisations, and local representatives, prioritising openness.

Sarah Jones, Labour’s Minister of State for Policing and Crime, said for more than 40 years miners, their families and their communities have been living with unanswered questions regarding what took place at Orgreave.

The government has fulfilled its pledge to these unwavering campaigners to ensure the truth is finally revealed.