Striking miners who were convicted in the 80s are to be pardoned say the Scottish Government.

Justice Secretary, Humza Yousaf announced the decision this afternoon (Wednesday, October 28) after a review had been conducted into arrests made at the strikes of 1984-85.

In Ayrshire at the time, there were five collieries, two at Hunterston, North Ayrshire and three in East Ayrshire: Sorn; Barony; and Killoch.

Yousaf said that the pardon would aid reconciliation with the affected communities.

Roughly 1,400 miners were arrested and more than 500 were convicted during the national dispute, which saw millions protest against Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Government, in opposition to pit closures.

Violence erupted across the UK between, at times, hundreds of striking miners and police over the plans. 

Many protesters were arrested for breach of the peace.

Human rights lawyer John Scott QC’s independent review of the impact of policing on communities during the strike recommends that, subject to establishing suitable criteria, the Scottish Government should introduce legislation to pardon those convicted for matters related to the strike.

Mr Scott says that most of the miners actions would be unlikely to result in prosecution today. He said: “When this review was announced on 7 June 2018 by Michael Matheson MSP, the then Cabinet Secretary for Justice, he acknowledged that ‘the scars from the experience [of the strike] still run deep.’

“This strike was different – for miners it was about communities defending their way of life, their jobs, and their future. More than three decades on, the question posed for us was how best to learn from this period, to aid the community as a whole – importantly, including the policing community – in understanding, reconciliation and inclusion.

“In many meetings, including eight in mining communities in 2018, we were privileged to meet and hear from many of those who are still affected by the strike – miners, police officers and the families of both. These and others helped us to reach what seemed to us to be an appropriate acknowledgement by the State for some of the lasting damage. I am grateful to my colleagues – Kate, Dennis and Jim – for their wise counsel and invaluable insight in this important work.”

The Justice Secretary said: “There is no doubt that many miners suffered great hardship because of the strike and convictions arising from it. Although the strike took place some 35 years ago, it is clear from conversations I have had with many miners the pain they feel is still very raw to this day.

“This collective pardon also applies posthumously and symbolises our desire for truth and reconciliation, following the decades of hurt, anger and misconceptions which were generated by one of the most bitter and divisive industrial disputes in living memory.

“The pardon is intended to acknowledge the disproportionate impacts arising from miners being prosecuted and convicted during the strike – such as the loss of their job.  Subject to Parliament’s approval of legislation, it will also recognise the exceptional circumstances that resulted in former miners suffering hardship and the loss of their good name through their participation in the strike.

Nicky Wilson, President of the National Union of Mineworkers (Scotland), said:“The NUM in Scotland welcomes the outcome of the independent inquiry set up by the Scottish Government, the fact that this injustice is now being addressed by a Pardon being given to Miners found guilty of offences in relation to the 84-85 Miners strike removes a stigma that has lasted for 36 years.

“These miners were involved in a strike to fight to protect their jobs, industry and financial wellbeing of their communities, and many lost their jobs and futures through being arrested. The fact the Scottish Government has taken this decision to correct this longstanding wrong lends weight to the argument that a UK-wide Inquiry must now be set up in order the same justice is given to our colleagues in England and Wales who were similarly treated wrongly.”