We are publishing here an extract from a letter sent to the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) by Arthur Scargill, the President of the National Union of Minerworkers during the 1984-85 miners’ strike, who outlines evidence that the police were preparing a conspiracy file for Scargill and that his arrest during the Battle of Orgreave was premeditated. This extrace has been forwarded to Socialist Appeal by the Justice for Mineworkers campaign.
We are publishing here an extract from a letter sent to the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) by Arthur Scargill, the President of the National Union of Minerworkers during the 1984-85 miners’ strike, who outlines evidence that the police were preparing a conspiracy file for Scargill and that his arrest during the Battle of Orgreave was premeditated. This extract has been forwarded to Socialist Appeal by the Justice for Mineworkers campaign.
19th November 2013
Inquiry into policing at Orgreave Coking Plant, South Yorkshire, 1984
I am aware that the IPCC is currently making inquiries into policing at Orgreave Coking Plant during the miners’ strike in 1984, and feel that two matters which directly concern me should be taken into consideration.
1. On or around 5 June 1984 (some six days after I had been arrested on 30 May at Orgreave), the National Officials of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) (M. McGahey, Vice-President; P. E. Heathfield, Secretary, myself, President) were informed by my Counsel that whilst he and a solicitor had attended police headquarters in Sheffield, South Yorkshire – representing miners who had been arrested at Orgreave – they had accidentally seen a file marked ‘Scargill Conspiracy File’.
As a result of what they had seen, my Counsel made clear that it was a serious matter if the police were compiling a conspiracy file in relation to me, and advised the three NUM National Officials including myself to adopt a course of action to protect me physically and against any attempt at a ‘stitch-up’ by undercover officers. In light of the file that had been seen, the NUM national officials put this advice into effect. I feel the IPCC should conduct an investigation into why there should have been a ‘Scargill Conspiracy File’; if necessary I am prepared to attend for interview if you require me to do so.
2. My second cause for concern involves a County Court hearing held in Rotherham on 13-14th December 1984 at which I was appearing in connection with charges against me of obstructing the highway, made by the police following my arrest at Orgreave on 30th May 1984.
During the first day of the hearing (13 December), my solicitor was approached by a police officer who told him that he felt compelled to reveal information which directly concerned my arrest on 30th May 1984.
The police officer informed my solicitor who in turn informed my Counsel that he had been in the Police command post at Orgreave in the early hours of 30 May 1984, and had been present when a decision was taken by senior officers to arrest me immediately I arrived at Orgreave that day.
It is a matter of public record that upon my arrival at Orgreave on 30th May, I was arrested within approximately 15 seconds – by Chief Superintendent Nesbit, who admitted in Court on 13th December 1984 I was the only person he had arrested in his position as Chief Superintendent.
It was obvious then and it is obvious now that decisions were taken at the very highest level to arrest me – apparently on any charge – immediately when I arrived at Orgreave Coking Plant on 30 May 1984. In light of this information I feel the IPCC should conduct an investigation and if necessary I am prepared to attend for interview if you require me to do so.
Yours sincerely,
Arthur Scargill
NUM National President 1982-2002
