Police chief refuses to re-examine miners' strike convictions

But Lothian Labour MSP Neil Findlay told the Morning Star that the police and Scotland's Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill must listen to the demands for a review.

The campaign by Mr Findlay and Midlothian MP David Hamilton to win justice for the convicted strikers has already won massive support.

This week they set up a website for people to email SNP Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill MSP and Lothian and Borders Chief Constable David Strang asking them to carry out a "full, independent and comprehensive review of each and every one of the convictions brought against those involved in the dispute in Scotland."

But a response on behalf of Mr Strang stated: "Your correspondence does not relate to a specific conviction or allegation linked to police activity."

It added that Scottish police had no remit to take action.

Mr Findlay told the Morning Star: "The response to this campaign has been fantastic there is a real sense of injustice surrounding the strike and most notably the cases of the people who advise me they were convicted on either bogus or trumped-up charges."

He said almost 800 people had already sent emails in the campaign.

Mr Strang claims that the call for a review of Scottish convictions differs from the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation into "specific allegations linked to assault, perjury, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office" by police in South Yorkshire.

Mr Findlay said: "The overwhelming majority of the people convicted had never been in trouble before in their lives and assure me that they did not act unlawfully.

"Some ended up in prison, many were sacked and others were blacklisted and denied employment.

"But the biggest issue for them is clearing their name and getting justice - that is what this is all about."