Police officer suspended after footage shows suspect being stamped on the head at Manchester Airport
Greater Manchester Police has said it understands the "deep concerns that have been widely raised with us" after the video was shared on social media - with hundreds of protesters gathering in Rochdale on Wednesday night.
Thursday 25 July 2024 15:57, UK
A police officer has been suspended after footage shared on social media showed a suspect being kicked in the head and stamped on at Manchester Airport.
Read latest: Man who was stamped on is related to GMP officer
The suspect has been named as Fahir in an Instagram video where he appears alongside his lawyer Akhmed Yakoob.
The lawyer is also representing a second man who was arrested in the incident at Manchester Airport and names him as Amaad.
Mr Yakoob, who is the only one who speaks in the video, does not confirm whether Fahir and Amaad are brothers but says they will be making a formal complaint accusing Rochdale Police of assaulting them and "their elderly mother".
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had been responding to reports of an assault at Terminal 2 at 8.25pm on Tuesday before the footage of the police officer stamping on Fahir was filmed.
The force has said three officers were injured in a subsequent altercation and there was a "clear risk" of firearms being snatched from officers who were carrying weapons.
In a statement after an officer was suspended in relation to the video this morning, GMP said: "Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.
"A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for a full independent investigation.
"We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place."
The IOPC has confirmed it has launched an investigation into the level of force used by a police officer in relation to the video.
GMP said earlier it understands the "immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel" after the footage emerged.
An estimated 200 demonstrators gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday night with some shouting "GMP shame on you!".
Police said the protest ended "without incident".
Mr Yakoob said in the video he shared from his Instagram account this morning: "I am with Fahir and Amaad here, they were released not that long ago from Cheadle Police Station, they then had to make their own way to the hospital but in reality because they had head injuries, it was the police's duty to take them to a hospital.
"But nevertheless they made their own way and now I've documented their injuries and 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."
Paul Waugh, the Labour and Co-Operative MP for Rochdale, has said Fahir is from the town.
He added that he spoke to the man's family last night and is planning to meet them in person today.
Mr Waugh posted on X this morning: "The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.
"Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned... 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."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understands the "concern" over the footage and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would be meeting Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to discuss the matter.
Ms Cooper later released a statement saying she shared the "deep concern" around the video and welcomed the IOPC's decision to open an investigation.
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The video shows an officer with a Taser in his hand appearing to kick and then stamp on Fahir's head while he is lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
Amaad is later kicked in the thigh by the officer.
GMP said officers had arrived at Terminal 2 of the airport to arrest a man on suspicion of assault.
They said a female officer later suffered a broken nose, while two other officers were forced to the ground and suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.
GMP added that four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham told BBC radio this morning that he has seen the video of the incident but has not seen footage from body-worn cameras.
Mr Burnham added that the situation is "not clear cut" and "there are issues for both sides".
However, he added that it is right the officer has been suspended, saying: "That is abundantly clear to me."
He said the footage is "disturbing" and "the right process has to be in place to ensure everybody can have confidence in what follows".
Appealing for calm, Mr Burnham added: "We do these things in the right way here, we never turn away from difficult things, we do not look away, we do it carefully, we do it properly and that's what exactly is going to happen."