THE only Selby pitman to be sacked after the miners' strike said today he had been betrayed by the Government's "token" response to a 16-year-old injustice.

Energy Minister Brian Wilson announced that miners sacked in the 1984-85 strike were to have their pension rights restored - but it would only be a partial restoration and would not apply to those dismissed for violent conduct.

Ken Ambler, 54, lost his job after being convicted of assaulting a police inspector.

He denied the offence, claiming he acted in self-defence after being pushed to the ground by two officers while on picket duty at Wistow Mine. A Department of Energy spokesman confirmed today that under the new package, anyone convicted of assaulting a police officer would appear to fall into the "violent conduct" category and would not be eligible for the extra five years of pension contribution payments.

Mr Wilson told the Commons yesterday that the enhanced pension would affect up to 335 sacked miners at a cost of £4 million, and would "right an injustice".

But Mr Ambler told the Evening Press today that he was an innocent victim of a strike engineered by a "vindictive" Tory Government.

He said: "We were promised by Labour in opposition they would rectify this wrong committed against all of us. I feel betrayed.

"After 15 years in the industry, I found a letter on my door mat saying my services were no longer required. That was in March 1985 and I haven't worked since."

Mr Ambler and his wife, Susan, were forced to sell their detached bungalow at Thorpe Willoughby to pay off their debts, and now live in a terraced house in Bridlington.

He said: "We live on weekly benefits of £83 and I use a pushbike because we can't afford a car. This decision is another kick in the teeth."

An active member of the Justice for Mineworkers Campaign, Mr Ambler said it was an honourable strike and he would never give up the fight.

The Government's announcement also came under fire today from union leaders at Selby.

Steve Kemp, National Union of Mineworkers' secretary at Stillingfleet Mine, said they wanted to see justice done to all sacked miners.

He said: "We expected everyone to be fully compensated and this is nothing more than a sop."

Updated: 14:52 Wednesday, December 12, 2001