scargill

The hint of a link tarnished Scargill and yet trust of him amongst striking miners remained firm.

His father, Harold Scargill, was a miner and a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Scargill was a very controversial figure for his outspokenness and the tactics he used.

It was also claimed that Arthur Scargill diverted money donated by Russian miners during the strike.

Mark Serwotka, boss of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents civil servants, recently praised Mr Scargill's "bravery" .

During his period as President of the Yorkshire region of the NUM, Scargill became popular with sections of the left.

Scargill was perceived as a militant hero by the unions, and as a Marxist thug by most of the mainstream press.

But he blames Mr Scargill for refusing deals that could have saved some profitable mines.

During the strike, Scargill had constantly claimed that the government had a long-term plan to reduce the industry in this way.

Scargill was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire.

Scargill always denied these accusations and accused the government of fueling a smear campaign.

Scargill became the leader of the Yorkshire division of the NUM in 1973 and continued in the post until 1981.

In the 1981 election for NUM President, Scargill secured around 70% of the vote.

Scargill became president of the NUM in 1981.

Scargill became a miner after leaving school at 15, working at Woolley Colliery from 1953.

Arthur Scargill's response to the incident was: