Film director Loach throws weight behind miner justice

The Orgreave campaigners are concentrating on the events of June 18 1984, when police corralled thousands of miners who were picketing Orgreave cokeworks outside Rotherham in South Yorkshire.

Police cavalry baton-charged the picket and were followed up by police on foot who battered miners senseless.

Dozens of miners were arrested and charged with riot. In the aftermath however charges were dropped and compensation paid when evidence of collusion by police in the preparation of statements was revealed in court. There were no prosecutions against police.

Campaigners now want an inquiry to find the truth about what happened.

In his letter Mr Loach wrote: "The brutality of the police in the treatment of miners in the '84-5 strike is now widely recognised.

"Now there are serious questions over the police evidence against miners and supporters who were arrested.

"In the interests of justice we have to know the truth of what happened.

"The police were privatised by the government during the miners' strike. How far did they go to carry out the government's wishes? Where, in the end, does responsibility lie?

"The campaign's work is of fundamental importance."

Since its launch in November support has poured in for the campaign, which was started after Hillsborough families successfully exposed police involvement in the 1989 football stadium disaster which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.

And the Orgreave case has sparked demands for a wider investigation into police actions against mining communities across the country during the strike.

The campaigners recently launched a petition for Orgreave's policing to be addressed by Parliament, which needs 100,000 signatures if it is to force a Commons debate.

• Sign at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/41844