AN INDEPENDENT review of the policing of the 1984-85 miners’ strike in Scotland is to be set up following a long campaign by trade unions, campaigners and the Scottish Labour Party.

SNP Justice Secretary Michael Matheson announced at Holyrood yesterday that a new probe would “honestly address some of the key issues through a focused investigation.”

He said he had concluded that “doing nothing is not an option.”

Barrister John Scott has agreed to lead the review, he added, assisted by an advisory panel consisting of former Labour and independent politician Dennis Canavan, former assistant chief constable Kate Thompson and Professor Jim Murdoch of Glasgow University.

Mr Matheson said: “Although more than three decades have passed since the main miners’ dispute, the scars from the experience still run deep.

“The sense of having been hurt and wronged remains corrosive and alienating.”

He said the strike had been “also a difficult time for the police,” in which relations with communities came “under unprecedented strain.”

Labour MSP and front-bencher Neil Findlay, who led the calls for a probe, hailed the announcement as a “a major step forward” and a “huge breakthrough.”

He said: “It also must not shut off the possibility of a full public inquiry at a later date.

“Scottish miners suffered disproportionately from the impact — with just 10 per cent of the overall UK mining workforce, Scotland saw 30 per cent of the sackings following arrest.

“I hope that this independent review is thorough, inclusive and provides an opportunity for those who were involved to come forward and give evidence so we can finally shine a light on this enormously important period in our country’s history.”

Mr Matheson said National Union of Mineworkers president Nicky Wilson had offered his “wholehearted backing” to the approach. 

Mr Wilson said in a comment read out by the Justice Secretary: “I really welcome the leadership being demonstrated by the Scottish government on this issue.”

Mr Matheson said his decision had been influenced by the refusal of then Westminster Home Secretary Amber Rudd to hold an inquiry into the Battle of Orgreave, where police were accused of initiating violent clashes with flying pickets.

He added that it would be “better for all concerned … if the UK government could now follow our example” and institute its own inquiry.