Michael Mansfield

Michael Mansfield KC is a leading UK human rights lawyer known for his work on high-profile and often controversial cases. He is currently newsworthy for two distinct reasons. Firstly, he has criticized the UK government's refusal to meet with Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners who are on hunger strike. Mansfield argues that the Ministry of Justice's reasoning for not engaging with the strikers is "ludicrous." Secondly, his past work is relevant to the newly announced inquiry into the policing of the Orgreave coking plant during the 1984-85 miners' strike. While the articles don't explicitly state his direct involvement in Orgreave, his reputation as a prominent lawyer often involved in cases concerning civil liberties and alleged miscarriages of justice makes the inquiry relevant to his broader body of work. His criticism of the government's stance on the hunger strikers highlights his continued advocacy for human rights and his willingness to challenge official narratives.