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London Police Chief expresses 'concern' over G20 death images
Video images showing a police officer lunging at newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson minutes before he died "raise obvious concerns", Sir Paul Stephenson said today.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said his colleagues fully support the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) probe into the death.
He said: "My thoughts are with Mr Tomlinson's family at this time. The images that have now been released raise obvious concerns and it is absolutely right and proper that there is a full investigation into this matter, which the Met will fully support."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith called for the IPCC inquiry to be completed "as quickly as possible" after the footage emerged of a policeman lunging at Mr Tomlinson and leaving him on the ground for bystanders to help.
Ms Smith said a criminal investigation could follow if officials find evidence of illegal conduct from video footage, photographs and eyewitness accounts of events close to the Bank of England on 1 April.
The IPCC is examining video footage shot by a passer-by during angry protests attended by more than 5,000 people during last week's summit of the world's most powerful political leaders.
It appears to show a helmeted police officer, with his face partially covered, lunge at Mr Tomlinson with a baton from behind. The 47-year-old falls heavily to the ground, then remonstrates with officers before getting up with the help of passers-by. He walked away, apparently unhurt, but moments later collapsed and died of a heart attack.
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He said: "My thoughts are with Mr Tomlinson's family at this time. The images that have now been released raise obvious concerns and it is absolutely right and proper that there is a full investigation into this matter, which the Met will fully support."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith called for the IPCC inquiry to be completed "as quickly as possible" after the footage emerged of a policeman lunging at Mr Tomlinson and leaving him on the ground for bystanders to help.
Ms Smith said a criminal investigation could follow if officials find evidence of illegal conduct from video footage, photographs and eyewitness accounts of events close to the Bank of England on 1 April.
The IPCC is examining video footage shot by a passer-by during angry protests attended by more than 5,000 people during last week's summit of the world's most powerful political leaders.
It appears to show a helmeted police officer, with his face partially covered, lunge at Mr Tomlinson with a baton from behind. The 47-year-old falls heavily to the ground, then remonstrates with officers before getting up with the help of passers-by. He walked away, apparently unhurt, but moments later collapsed and died of a heart attack.
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For more information:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-...
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Earlier this week, the Independent Police Complaints Commission appointed the City of London force to investigate the incident, despite its officers having been involved in policing the protest. The IPCC could have decided to use its own independent investigators.
Video obtained by the Guardian of the minutes before Tomlinson's death clearly shows officers from the City of London force standing near the officer who attacked the newspaper seller. That officer is believed to be from the Metropolitan force.
The IPCC is expected to make a fresh announcement today about the investigation.
The video footage shows Tomlinson walking past police with his hands in his pockets, then being knocked to the ground by a police officer in riot gear as officers from the City of London force look on, minutes before he suffered a fatal heart attack.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/08/ian-tomlinson-video-inquiry-ipcc