We publish here a letter from John Dunn, former miner and current supporter of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, who – in light of news that the police lied in the “Plebgate” saga regarding comments made by Andrew Mitchell MP – explains the case of the miners at Orgreave in 1984 that were far greater victims of false police allegations.
We publish here a letter from John Dunn, former miner and current supporter of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, who – in light of news that the police lied in the “Plebgate” saga regarding comments made by Andrew Mitchell MP – explains the case of the miners at Orgreave in 1984 that were far greater victims of false police allegations.
Andrew Mitchell MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
16th Oct 2013
Dear Mr Mitchell,
I write as a supporter of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign who has, for some time watched with great interest the saga of what has now become known as ‘plebgate’ unfold.
I would like to offer you my sincere congratulations on having the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) rule that the police officers who tried to ‘fit you up’ by making false accusations against you – together with the officers who later met with you over this matter – were far from trustworthy.
The chair of the IPCC, Deborah Glass actually went so far as to say “In my opinion the evidence indicates an issue of honesty and integrity, not merely naïve or poor professional judgement”.
Many of us from the former mining communities who were active in trying to defend our industry have also had considerable experience of police lies and fabrications. In the case of the arrests at the former Orgreave coking plant in 1984, great amounts of evidence is now being uncovered that proves that the South Yorkshire Police Force lied and colluded to wrongfully charge 95 pickets with riot, a charge that potentially carried a life sentence.
Upon being brought to court the whole case collapsed and the 95 were acquitted and later awarded compensation after suing for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.
For almost 30 years no real investigation has taken place into the actions of the South Yorkshire force, who have now referred themselves to the IPCC, and a real stigma still surrounds those of us who tried at Orgreave and other places, to defend, legitimately and lawfully our jobs and communities. I am sure that, given your experience of similar police activities, you can sympathise with our frustration and anger at the tremendous slur upon our characters that still exists.
I would like to invite you as a fellow sufferer from police lies to add your support to our campaign, and therefore to help ensure that wherever the police attempts to frame any individual, no matter who or what they are, they are brought to account.
I trust you will feel able to support us and look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
John Dunn
