A police officer from Greater Manchester Police was suspended from duty after a video surfaced showing him kicking a man at Manchester Airport. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched a criminal investigation into the officer for assault after the incident on July 23rd. However, new CCTV footage has emerged, showing the events leading up to the altercation, where two men were seen attacking police officers before the now-viral scene.
The Greater Manchester Police Federation defended the police, stating that the fresh footage provides a different perspective and highlights the need to protect law enforcement officers. Richard Cooke, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the new clip offers a different viewpoint on the incident.
In response to the controversy, the lawyer representing the family involved in the incident announced that he would be stepping aside. Akhmed Yakoob had previously claimed that the man kicked by the officer was the victim of an “attempted assassination,” but later faced criticism for his comments. Yakoob accused the media of trying to sabotage him and redirected the focus to police brutality and misconduct.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emphasized the complexity of the situation and urged people not to rush to judgment. He stated that nobody has the complete picture of the incident and called for patience while authorities conduct their investigations. Burnham highlighted the need to consider all perspectives and avoid making hasty conclusions based on partial information.
Former firearms sergeant Harry Tangye called for the resignation of the home secretary following the release of the new footage. Tangye described the treatment of police officers involved in the incident as “absolutely disgusting” and demanded accountability for those responsible. He specified several government officials and law enforcement leaders whom he believed should lose their jobs over the incident.
The emergence of new video footage depicting the chaos at Manchester Airport before the man was kicked in the head by a police officer sheds light on the events leading up to the altercation. The footage shows a series of confrontations between the individuals involved, including physical altercations with police officers. This additional footage provides a more comprehensive understanding of the incident and underscores the need for a thorough investigation to determine the full context of the events at Manchester Airport.
