Strikers who were arrested at Orgreave say names can now be cleared

FORMER striking miners arrested during the violent confrontation at Orgreave in 1984 said their names could finally be cleared after the Government'sd announcement of a public inquiry.

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The inquiry, expected to launch in the autumn, will investigate the events surrounding clashes at the Orgreave Coking Plant in South Yorkshire on June 18, 1984, which caused 120 injuries.

In total, 95 picketers were arrested and initially charged with riot and violent disorder, but all charges were later dropped after evidence was discredited.

Representatives from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign welcomed the "historic and momentous announcement" at a press conference in Sheffield yesterday.

Kevin Horne, one of the 95 people arrested that day, said: "We have this chance now to wipe the slate clean so that our children and grandchildren can respect the police again."