'VICIOUS & AGGRESSIVE'
Thugs who broke female cop’s nose in Manchester Airport MUST be charged, Farage slams as he launches private prosecution
Both men have been bailed following arrest
NIGEL Farage has today threatened to take the Manchester Airport suspects to court himself if prosecutors drag their feet in bringing charges.
The Reform party leader lashed out at “two-tier policing” and said the “assailants” are getting “special, different treatment”.
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A viral clip from July 23 sparked outrage after showing a police officer kicking Fahir Amaaz, 19, in the head while he and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 25, were being restrained.
But more footage then emerged showing the cops being beaten to the ground - leaving a female officer with a broken nose - before Mr Amaaz was tasered.
Both men have been bailed following arrest on suspicion of affray and assault, while the police watchdog has launched a probe.
In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Mr Farage and his four other Reform MPs blasted: “Some 11 weeks later, the assailants have still not been charged and are free on our street.”
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They hit out: “This is two-tier policing. For some reason these Manchester Airport assailants are being given special, different treatment.”
Mr Farage and his colleagues believe it is “totally unacceptable” nobody has been charged even if an Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation is ongoing.
They say: “We are therefore serving notice that if the CPS is not going to charge the assailants, then we will organise a private criminal prosecution against them.
“We have taken initial advice and have a legal team on standby to progress when required.”
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Mr Farage and his deputy Richard Tice said they would be prepared to crowdfund the private prosecution if necessary.
Cop under criminal investigation for assault over vid of man being kicked & stamped on at Manchester Airport
Ms Cooper is unlikely to act on their letter given the CPS is independent, and ministers rarely wade into the legal process.
The Brexit firebrand has been a leading critic of perceptions of “two-tier policing”, claiming some of the summer rioters were treated more harshly.
Amaaz and Amaad's lawyer Aamer Anwar said: "Reform are often accused of having a precarious grip on reality.
Anwar added: "This latest diatribe is no more than pathetic grandstanding.
"Whilst some may want to mimic a Taliban system of justice, thankfully in a civilised society we believe in due process, which is not dictated to by the mob.
"If Mr. Farage wishes to pursue his fantasy of a private prosecution, I for one would gladly see him lose thousands of pounds.
"It would also help if he understood how or legal system works. In the meantime we will await the outcome of the CPS investigation into not only my clients but also the GMP officers.
"I doubt very much that the CPS will be pressured by the latest rantings of Mr. Farage and co."
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “We are considering material and are providing advice in relation to a series of alleged criminal offences at Manchester Airport in July this year.
“We are working with Greater Manchester Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct while their enquiries continue.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “There is no such thing as two-tier policing. We expect high standards of conduct from police officers and they must equally be able to carry out their jobs without disruption.
“It is right that the CPS and the IOPC are both able to carry out their investigations independently, without fear or favour.”
A GMP Spokesperson said: “Following an investigation led by the GMP Major Incident Team, a comprehensive file of evidence was sent to the CPS in Mid-August, and we await a charging decision.
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“We have avoided providing ongoing commentary on the case, including releasing footage, to ensure that justice can be served without the risk of prejudicing proceedings.
“We continue to support the officers involved and are committed to getting them justice.”
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