Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has urged the public not to jump to conclusions following the emergence of new video footage showing the events leading up to a controversial incident at Manchester Airport. The original video, which went viral, depicted a police officer kicking a man in the head, sparking protests in the city center and in Rochdale.
The new 30-second clip shows a group of people gathered around a ticket machine in a car park at Terminal 2. Three police officers, one male and two female, are seen restraining a man wearing a light blue outfit. Another man in a black T-shirt appears to attack the male officer, leading to a physical altercation where punches are thrown. The male officer then uses a taser on the man in the black T-shirt, who continues to assault the female officers. The situation escalates, with the male officer ultimately kicking the man in the head.
Mayor Burnham emphasized that the situation is complex and urged the public to withhold judgment. He revealed that four individuals were arrested in connection with the incident and are currently on police bail. Due to ongoing investigations by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), he stressed the importance of allowing the process to unfold to present a complete picture of the events.
Following the release of the new footage, Mayor Burnham reiterated the need for patience and understanding due to the violent and multifaceted nature of the incident. He cautioned against forming opinions without all the facts and highlighted the necessity of waiting for the investigations to conclude before drawing conclusions.
The IOPC confirmed that a criminal investigation is underway regarding the use of force by the police officer at Manchester Airport. The officer has been informed of potential gross misconduct allegations, including breaches of police professional standards. The regional director of the IOPC, Catherine Bates, emphasized the importance of speaking to all parties involved and maintaining open communication with the community to address concerns and provide updates on the investigation.
In light of the ongoing developments and the complexity of the situation, Mayor Burnham called for peace and cooperation from all parties involved. He stressed the significance of allowing the investigative process to unfold and refraining from making hasty judgments based on incomplete information. As the inquiries progress, the public is urged to remain patient and await the findings of the investigations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events at Manchester Airport.
