A consultation has been launched to confirm the qualifying criteria for pardons to be given to miners relating to the strike of 1984 to 1985.

Whilst many miners will be eligible for pardons under the initial criteria set out, some involved in the strikes, including those who were imprisoned, will miss out.

In 2018, the Scottish Government commissioned an independent review of the policing of the strike, the publication of which, in October last year, led to the government declaring a pardon would be given to the miners involved subsequent to a suitable criteria being confirmed.

Read more: Humza Yousaf says miners convicted in violent strikes of the 80s to be pardoned

The independent review body has suggested that the criteria should be that those convicted must not have had a previous or subsequent conviction, they should have been convicted in Scotland for Breach of the Peace or Breach of Bail, and their case must have resulted in a fine.

This criteria is not set in stone, though, and that's why the consultation is being extended to members of the public to have their say.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP says in a foreword to the consultation that: "This consultation paper sets out potential criteria - based on the criteria suggested in the independent report - and asks for your views.

"It is important that we have a rationale for the qualifying criteria which is well-thought through and informed by a range of views. That is why I would encourage all of you with an interest in the Strike to take this opportunity to have your say.

"The responses to the consultation will help shape the legislation which will be necessary to give effect to the pardon."

 

Cumnock and New Cumnock Councillor Jim McMahon, a former miner himself is happy progress is being made, but wants convictions quashed as opposed to just pardoned. He said: "There's a clear difference between being pardoned and having your conviction quashed, that's what I'd like to see done. But at least there's some recognition of the wrong done to miners in there."

Read more: East Ayrshire councillor Jim McMahon recalls the miners' strike

The deadline for people to respond to the consultation is Friday, June 4, 2021.

Participants are being asked to use the Scottish Government's consultation hub, Citizen Space at https://consult.gov.scot/safer-communities/miners-strike-pardon/

Responses can also be sent via email or post, more info on doing so is available on the consulation paper here.

In 1984 there were approximately 15,000 Scottish miners.

Over the course of the Strike (March 1984 to March 1985), there were an estimated 1,350 arrests in Scotland linked to the Strike.

There were approximately 470 court cases held in Scotland, of which 85 per cent led to a conviction.

Evidence suggests that there were around 200 dismissals in Scotland - with an estimated 40 per cent of those who were dismissed being reinstated.