A 'landmark' new Bill to pardon former miners convicted of certain offences related to strike action in the 1980s has been published.

The Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill follows an independent review, led by John Scott QC, into the impact of policing on Scottish communities during the 1984-85 strike.

The review recommended the Scottish Government introduce legislation to pardon miners convicted for certain matters related to the strike, subject to establishing suitable criteria.

Following a consultation, that criteria has now been established and sets out that the pardon will be available to people convicted of certain offences – such as breach of the peace – and who were participating in strike action.

However the Bill does not cast doubt on decisions made by courts at the time and does not quash convictions.

READ MORE: Consultation finds overwhelming support for miners' strike pardons

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “The miners’ strike was one of the most bitter and divisive industrial disputes in living memory.

“This new draft legislation will go some way to aid reconciliation – and to help heal wounds within Scotland’s mining communities.

“A collective pardon will restore dignity to those convicted, provide comfort to their families and, I hope, will bring closure to the sense of injustice members of mining communities may feel.

“I am determined to make swift progress on this matter, given the passage of time since 1984-85, which is why we have acted quickly to bring forward and publish this landmark new Bill.”

READ MORE: East Ayrshire miners: Criteria to be confirmed for pardon

Speaking back in March on the initial consultation, Cumnock and New Cumnock Councillor Jim McMahon, a former miner himself, said he wanted 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."

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.