UK miners' strike (1984–85) the NUM's assets, it began to look abroad for money, and found supplies in the Soviet bloc and, it was mistakenly thought, also from Libya. These countries were highly unpopular with the British public. The Soviet Union's official trade union federation donated £1.5 million to the NUM. Media reports alleged that senior NUM officials were personally keeping some of the funds. In November 1984, it was alleged that senior NUM officials had travelled to Libya for money. Cash from the Libyan government was particularly damaging coming seven months after the murder of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in
1984 Libyan hostage incident envoy Terry Waite", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo" "Premier to see families of 3 held", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 15 October 1984 "Woman plea to Gaddafi", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 18 September 1984 "Morris to help", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 12 September 1984 "Desperate plea", "Northampton Chronicle & Echo", 3 September 1984 1984 Libyan hostage incident The Libyan hostage situation began on the morning of the murder of WPC Fletcher, 17 April 1984 and lasted until 5 February 1985 (294 days). In accordance with the hostage release agreement, reporting on the incident was restricted until the fall of Gadaffi in 2011.