We will “never give up” on Orgreave vows Burnham as home secretary vanishes

Andy Burnham today accused Amber Rudd of being “out of her depth” after she failed to show up to the Commons to defend her “bombshell” decision to rule out a new inquiry into the Battle of Orgreave.

Burnham’s urgent question on Orgreave was heard in the Commons by a junior minister, who responded for the Home Office.

Burnham described the home secretary’s absence as “revealing”, saying on Twitter:

Hearing the Home Secretary is sending her deputy to the Commons to answer my UQ. Says it all.

— Andy Burnham (@andyburnhammp) November 1, 2016

The former shadow home secretary, who left his role when he was selected as Labour’s candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, had his urgent question heard by Brandon Lewis instead of the home secretary Rudd, who was not present in Parliament.

Most of Lewis’ answers consisted simply of rehashing Rudd’s own statement from yesterday.

I asked the Minister specific questions on the Home Secretary’s decision-making process. He didn’t answer any of them. Will keep asking them

— Andy Burnham (@andyburnhammp) November 1, 2016

Burnham focussed his questions on her decision making process, asking what evidence the home secretary used to come to her conclusion, highlighting his understanding that many key files had never left Sheffield.

He asked whether Rudd had considered new testimony from police officers, “particularly in relation to police statements”.

He also highlighted the cabinet papers detailing Leon Brittan, then home secretary, and Margaret Thatcher’s discussion of the matter, which have been partially released under the 30 year rule. There is concern that there was a suggestion from Lord Brittan that he wanted to “increase the rate of prosecution of miners”, and Burnham sought answers on whether Rudd consulted these documents in making her controversial decision to not hold an inquiry.

He asked why the Theresa May and Rudd gave campaigners “false hope” by leaving the impression that an inquiry was likely and the question was not “whether there would be an inquiry, but what form that inquiry would take”.

Diane Abbott, shadow home secretary, also focussed on Rudd’s conspicuous absence.

You can watch Burnham’s question below:

WATCH: My Urgent Question on Orgreave. Yesterday we were hit with a bombshell. Today we dust ourselves down & warn Govt we’ll never give up. pic.twitter.com/Aek68ASxG7

— Andy Burnham (@andyburnhammp) November 1, 2016