Orgreave inquiry into alleged police brutality 'will begin in October'

An inquiry into alleged police brutality at the 1984 Orgreave miners' picket is set to go ahead in October.

The government will review the so-called Battle of Orgreave, but the format is yet to be decided.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is set to appoint a lawyer in October to assess material relating to the trouble, The Times reported.

Around 6,000 officers, many with riot gear, horses and dogs, are alleged to have used excessive force to suppress a miners' strike at Orgreave coking works in South Yorkshire.

A source told the newspaper that Ms Rudd wants to push ahead with an investigation that delivers "complete" answers, but does not want "something that could drag on for years".

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham, who has campaigned about Orgreave, said reports that a probe would go ahead were "encouraging".

Police pictured outside the Orgreave Coking Plant near Rotheram during the miners disputes in 1984. Credit: PA Wire

The announcement comes after a delegation from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) met the Home Secretary on Tuesday to press the case for an inquiry.

Former policeman Mike Freeman has spoken of how officers were ordered to write statements for arrests they had not made, while veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner said he saw "dogs and horses" being set on picketers.

A total of 95 miners were charged following the clashes at the plant, but their trial collapsed.

South Yorkshire Police referred itself to the IPCC in 2012 over allegations officers colluded to write court statements.

The watchdog later said the lapse of time prevented a formal investigation, but maintained that there was "support" for the allegation senior police exaggerated the use of violence by pickets.