This month the UK government announced the creation of an inquiry into events at Orgreave, in South Yorkshire, 40 years ago. The “battle” of Orgreave – in which 6,000 police officers used shocking violence against striking workers has become perhaps the symbolic moment of the 1984-85 miners’ strike and the Thatcher government’s dismantling of British industry. For Guardian reporter David Conn, the launch of the inquiry is an important continuation of work he’s been doing on Orgreave for a long time in the Guardian (check out his 2017 long read here). David’s reporting played an important role in Hillsborough campaigners finally overturning their miscarriage of justice. It was a piece he wrote in 2012 linking the South Yorkshire police’s role in both scandals that helped kickstart the campaigning and the momentum that has finally led to a proper inquiry. For this week’s newsletter, I spoke to David about Orgreave and its impact on Britain.
South Yorkshire Police have been exposed in several more recent scandals too. https://x.com/officialsammyuk/status/1875570675655868487
Today is International Friendship Day, so get ****ed one and all. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
Not looking good A jury in the trial of two brothers charged with assaulting armed police at Manchester Airport have been given a majority ruling by the judge. Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammad Amaad, 25, both from Rochdale, deny assaulting police at Manchester Airport on July 23 last year. The jury was sent out to consider verdicts on Monday and today (Tuesday), following a note by the jury, Judge Neil Flewitt KC told them he would accept majority decisions. After one juror was discharged on Monday due to a pre-planned holiday, 11 jurors remain. After the remaining panel of jurors sent the judge a note the contents of which were not read out in court Judge Flewitt told them: "It's always better if you can to reach verdicts on which you are all agreed. But I'm going to ask you to continue your deliberations for a while longer." However, he added that if they could not reach unanimous verdicts then he would be able to accept a majority verdict of 10 jurors. The jurors were sent out to continue their deliberations before being sent home for the day. Amaaz was captured throwing 10 punches, two 'elbow strikes' and one kick, the trial has heard. His brother, Amaad, threw six punches during CCTV played to the jury at Liverpool Crown Court. The footage also showed one of the armed police officers, PC Zachary Marsden, kicking Amaaz in the face while he was on the ground after the suspect had been Tasered.
This could realistically go anyway now.Personally I see no innocence from either of them. 11 angry persons come to mind(1 of the jury was released for holidays)...
Great film 12 angry men. Classic. However this was Hollywood without CCTV. If they walk then it’s time for a overhaul of the jury system.
Funnily enough, I was thinking the same thing. Those horses are stunning, I love animals and hate anyone who hurts them.
the black and white one in the snow around 37 seconds is a comedy horse with two men - if it isn't then it should be
Verdicts in on this now Chazz,bit of a mixed bag. The younger one was found guilty of assaulting the kid in the cafe and the 2 police women but both he and the elder brother's charges on assaulting the male copper are up in the air as the jury failed to reach a verdict? Possible retrial on count 2...
