More protests loom tonight as man kicked by cop in Manchester Airport breaks cover & demands ‘justice’
Watch the video above to see the arrest and two of the men involved in the fight
MORE protests loom tonight after a man kicked in the head by a cop in Manchester Airport broke cover demanding “justice”.
Shocking footage involving a policeman armed with a Taser at Manchester Airport’s terminal 2 was shared on social media yesterday leading to a major uproar and a mass protest.
A police officer has been suspended from all duties following a “thorough review of further information”, the force has confirmed.
Though Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the scandal is “not a clear cut situation” after seeing full footage of the build-up.
Greater Manchester Police said its officers had been called at 8.25pm on Tuesday following reports of a fight at the airport.
The force said while trying to arrest a suspect, three officers were attacked and punched to the ground.
One officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.
Four people were arrested on suspicion of affray and assault on emergency service workers.
Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob last night shared a video on X in which he was joined by brothers Amaad and Fahir, who he says were those being assaulted at the airport.
He claims they were released by police earlier yesterday and forced to make their own way to hospital.
He added they then planned to join the protests outside Rochdale Police Station last night.
Akhmed, who is based in Birmingham, said: “They were released not long ago from Cheadle Heath Police Station.
“They then had to make their own way to the hospital, but in reality because they’ve had head injuries it was the police’s duty to take them to the hospital.
“But nevertheless they made their own way and now I’ve documented their injuries.
“We are headed to Rochdale Police Station to make a formal complaint of assault and wounding against the police officers that have assaulted both Fahir and Amaad and their elderly mother who was just there as a bystander.”
At least 100 people demonstrated outside Rochdale Police Station last night.
Another protest is planned outside Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s office tonight.
Manchester Stand Up To Racism said: “We won’t stay quiet against racist police violence.
“Act now against racist police brutality at Manchester Airport. No to Islamophobia. No more cover-ups from GMP Chiefs.”
Chanting “shame on you”, protesters last night accused cops of institutional racism.
One of the protesters had told the crowd they were “no longer going to settle” for “police brutality”, according to The Manchester Evening News.
The station is around 25 miles from the airport.
In the shocking assault clip, at least five armed officers are seen surrounding a man as he lays on the floor, with one kicking his face and stamping on his head.
The same officer then appears to kick out at a second man.
An unseen man behind the camera is heard saying: “Wow! Move back, move back! Stop kicking people! Leave them, move back, shut up!”
The police officer is heard repeatedly shouting “Get down!”
PM Keir Starmer said: “I understand the public’s concern, I’ve seen it myself, I understand that concern.
“There has now been the suspension of one police officer this morning.
“The Home Secretary is meeting the Mayor of Greater Manchester to discuss this as we speak now.”
GMP referred itself to watchdog the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), which said it would assess the referral “and decide what further action is required”.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said today: “A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident.
“We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully.
“We have already referred our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and will be in further discussions with them today.
“We have spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to engage with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnership links and understand local views.”
Describing the video as “truly shocking” vision “that people are rightly extremely concerned about”, he earlier confirmed the male officer has been “removed from operational duties” and the force had made a voluntary referral of its response to the IOPC.
He added: “During our response, three officers were assaulted.
“One female officer suffered a broken nose and the other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries which required hospital treatment.”
GMP acknowledged concerns about “conduct within the video” and said firearms officers had been responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
A force spokesman said: “Whilst attempting to arrest one of the suspects of the earlier altercation, three officers were subject to a violent assault, where they were punched to the ground.
“A female officer suffered a broken nose and all three were taken to hospital for treatment.
“As the attending officers were firearms officers, there was a clear risk during this assault of their firearms being taken from them.
“Four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
“We acknowledge the concerns of the conduct within the video and our Professional Standards Directorate are assessing this.”
A GMP Federation spokesman said: “The matter is now under investigation.
“Everyone has the right to a fair hearing where all sides of the story are told and context is provided.
“As their staff association, we are supporting the officer concerned, and all of our colleagues who were involved in this incident, including those who were injured.
“We would also like to thank the many members of the public who have contacted us offering support for our hard-working colleagues doing a difficult and dangerous job. It is appreciated.”
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I am aware of disturbing footage from an incident at Manchester Airport this afternoon and understand the public concern it has prompted.
“I have asked for a full update from Greater Manchester Police.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he had raised concerns about the airport incident with the deputy chief constable.
He said: “I have seen the disturbing video footage circulating of a GMP officer at Manchester Airport and recognise the widespread and deep concern this has caused in Greater Manchester and beyond.
“The deputy mayor and I have raised these concerns with the deputy chief constable.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh described the incident as “appalling”, as well as “truly shocking and disturbing”.
He said the man being stamped on in the clip is a Rochdale resident and he has since spoken to his family, and plans to meet them in person today.
“I have expressed my concerns directly to the Assistant Chief Constable this evening and have been in touch with Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for policing of Greater Manchester.
“It’s right that the police officer concerned has been removed from duties and that this incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“I expect a thorough and swift investigation. The police have said that while trying to arrest a suspect, three of their officers were attacked.
“They said that one officer suffered a broken nose and all three needed hospital treatment.
“Our armed police face a very difficult job every day, and will themselves expect the highest standards of conduct from their officers in carrying out that vital duty to protect all of us.
“It’s important that both the investigation by the police and the investigation into the police conduct now gather the full facts.”
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.
“We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.
“We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern.
“It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.
“Our enquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.
“We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.
“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”
