THE Scottish government will make a statement in Holyrood today responding to recommendations that hundreds of miners convicted during the 1984-85 strike should be pardoned.

An independent review into the policing of the strikes last month proposed pardons for former miners with non-violent criminal convictions, finding that the workers were treated in a “grossly excessive manner.” 

The year-long strike resulted from a dispute between the mining unions and the National Coal Board after pits across Scotland were earmarked for closure.

The impact on miners with convictions was devastating – many lost their jobs and redundancy payments as well as their health and wellbeing, with others blacklisted due to union activity and convictions.

Today the government will make a statement regarding the review, revealing whether they will accept the recommendation to pardon those involved. 

Scottish Labour has urged the Justice Secretary to back the review and bring forward any legislation before the end of this parliamentary term.  

MSP Neil Findlay, who campaigned alongside miners and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said: “Many former miners and their families have waited years for this – they have paid a heavy price for their convictions, including being blacklisted from employment.  

“Today we can right a historic wrong that affected so many working men and their families.”

Those on the review have also spokenout ahead of the statement, with ex-Labour MP Dennis Canavan calling for the government in Westminster to follow Holyrood’s lead and set up a full public inquiry. 

He added: “The miners never claimed they were all angels but, by and large, miners were the salt of the earth, who laboured to serve our energy needs. 

“We owe it to them – here’s hoping our report will go some way in the quest for truth and justice.”

Union representatives also said that they were hopeful the recommendation for pardons would be accepted.

The NUM’s Chris Skidmore said: “This would be a massive step in the right direction as far as those of us in Yorkshire and across the union are concerned. 

“Some lads have gone to the grave knowing they were treated unjustly. 

“I’m sure comrades will be standing as one to say let’s move it forward: let’s get pardons for the rest of the lads who were treated so shamefully.”