AN independent review into the impact of policing during the 1980s miners’ strike is to be extended after receiving more than 100 submissions including “powerful and moving” testimony.

The Scottish government has received 108 responses to a call for evidence since announcing the independent review last June.

These include submissions from the National Union of Mineworkers Scotland and the Retired Police Officers Association Scotland.

Eight public meetings have been held in former mining communities across the country, which a total of 167 people attended.

Review leader John Scott QC said in an interim report: “We are extremely grateful to those who attended and shared their experience and views with us.

“We heard powerful and moving testimony from individuals and their families who had been very badly affected by the strike, especially those who were arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced.”

Labour MSP Neil Findlay, who campaigned for the review, said the level of submissions is “encouraging” and called for the review to consider pardons for those convicted.