COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing is this week to raise matters at the Scottish Parliament brought out through the reported recommendations of the independent review of policing during the Miners' Strike of 1984-85.

The Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area was at the centre of activities during the dispute with every community having its own Strike Committee as hundreds of people still worked in the coal industry at the likes of Seafield and Comrie collieries along with Longannet Mine.

There were flash points as the NCB tried to get coal from the Cartmore Opencast project to Longannet Power Station by a string of lorries which saw clashes between police and NUM pickets and people protesting on the streets.

A number of local men were arrested and appeared in court at a time of high tension.

Ms Ewing, has welcomed the reported recommendations of the report from the independent review of policing during the Miners’ Strike, chaired by John Scott QC.

Mr Scott was in Lochgelly, during his fact-finding exercise as he compiled his review, and held a session at the Centre Theatre to hear from those who had been involved in the dispute.

Ms Ewing, who be raising the issue at First Minister’s Questions this Thursday, said: “I look forward to reading the report and its recommendations in full when it is published but I very much welcome those aspects that have been reported over the weekend.

"I am pleased to say that my submission for a question at FMQs has been selected so I will be able to take up the issues raised, directly with the First Minister in the Chamber on Thursday".

She added: “There is absolutely no doubt that the dismantling of the coal industry in the eighties left deep scars on many mining communities, including those I represent.

"Not least of these was the lasting effect that criminal convictions had on the lives of men who were simply trying to defend their jobs, their families and their communities.

“It is absolutely right that we should be looking at pardons for these men and I am pleased that the Scottish Government has taken such a lead in examining the issues which fall under its remit. "The time is now long overdue for a broader and deeper review that can fully examine the Westminster Government’s involvement.”