Eleven Labour MPs have attacked Lord Falconer, the lord chancellor, for legal advice he gave more than 20 years ago to break up the National Union of Mineworkers after the miners strike.

Lord Falconer's role in the dispute following the release of secret documents to the paper by National Archives under the Freedom of Information Act was revealed in the Guardian on Monday.

A parliamentary motion signed by the 11 say they are "gravely disappointed to learn" about Lord Falconer's role in advising the then National Coal Board chairman, Sir Ian MacGregor, during the strike.