Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to reports of the Government ruling out a public inquiry into events at Orgreave, said:

“The dignified and patient Orgreave campaigners deserve much better than these anonymous briefings and mixed messages coming out of the Government. 

"On Wednesday, the Times said there would be an inquiry and four days later the Sunday Times says there won’t be. This is unfair and a clear decision needs to be communicated properly to the campaigners without delay. It is important to remember that Theresa May as Home Secretary personally invited the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign to make an official request for an inquiry. If she throws that back at them now, people will conclude it is for all the wrong reasons and it will not reflect well on our Prime Minister.

"All that people are asking for is the full truth about what happened on a day that still is still shrouded in secrecy and was the most divisive moment in our recent in history. What possible justification can there be for preventing people from knowing the truth? 

"The Government promised the Hillsborough families the full truth and it is clear we won’t have that until we also know what the South Yorkshire Police was doing five years earlier.”

Ends