MPs are demanding a public inquiry into police attacks on mining communities throughout the year-long 1984-5 strike against pit closures — including the notorious Orgreave scandal.

Labour MP for Wansbeck and former president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Ian Lavery yesterday had the support of 41 MPs in demanding an inquiry and condemning the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s refusal to investigate police attacks on miners at Orgreave.

His motion states that the House “strongly condemns the decision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission not to launch a full and comprehensive investigation into the behaviour of South Yorkshire Police” at the Orgreave Coking Plant on June 18 1984.

It stresses “there is no time limit to justice” and believes that mining communities up and down the country deserve the truth.

The EDM also calls for a wider public inquiry covering not only the policing of Orgreave but of the entire country during the 1984-85 miners’ strike.