A police officer has been suspended following the circulation of a video showing a man being kicked and stamped on the head at Manchester Airport.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the officer was removed from duty after a thorough review of additional information regarding the incident, which took place on Tuesday.
The footage, which emerged online, depicted a uniformed officer holding a Taser over a man lying on the ground at Terminal 2 before striking him twice around 20:30 BST.
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Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, who is set to discuss the incident with the home secretary, has called for calm amidst the uproar.
Greater Manchester Police acknowledged the “deep concerns” that the footage has provoked. The video has led to a protest outside Rochdale police station on Wednesday night, with hundreds gathering and chanting “shame on you.”
According to a police spokesperson, the incident unfolded after firearms officers were punched to the ground while attempting to make an arrest following a fight at the airport. The spokesman highlighted the “clear risk” that officers’ weapons could be seized during the struggle, adding that all three officers were hospitalized, with one suffering a broken nose. Four men were arrested on suspicion of assault and affray.
Amar Minhas from Leeds witnessed the incident while traveling through the terminal with his family. He told how officers pinned the man against a wall before another individual tried to intervene, leading to a fight. The pinned man threw punches until he was Tasered to the floor, at which point the officer kicked him.
Mayor Burnham described the video as “very disturbing” and supported the suspension of the officer as the “right action.” However, he noted that after viewing the full footage, the situation appeared “fast-moving and complicated,” suggesting it was not clear-cut. He emphasized the need for a thorough and measured investigation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his understanding of the public’s concern over the footage. He mentioned that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was being kept informed and was currently meeting with Mr. Burnham to discuss the situation.
Former Met Police chief superintendent Dal Babu criticized the police actions as “appalling and unnecessary,” suggesting that racism played a role in the incident. He pointed out that the arrested men faced charges of affray and assault, not more severe offences. Babu criticized Greater Manchester Police for being slow to recognize the seriousness of the incident, particularly given the low public trust in the police.
Greater Manchester Police stated they would continue engaging with residents and elected representatives to address concerns raised by the footage. The force has also referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for further investigation.
Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale, described the video as “truly shocking and disturbing” in the House of Commons and plans to meet the man’s family. He acknowledged the challenging nature of police work but stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of conduct.
Lucy Powell, Leader of the House and MP for Manchester Central, echoed these sentiments, calling the footage “incredibly disturbing” and recognizing the understandable concern it has caused.
Catherine Bates, IOPC Regional Director, confirmed that the police watchdog is investigating the “level of force” used by the GMP officer. She emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating all circumstances and noted that a significant amount of body-worn video and CCTV footage had been secured. Bates assured that efforts would be made to provide answers as swiftly as possible.
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