Manchester Airport incident – Latest news: Police watchdog launches criminal investigation into officer who kicked man

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has reiterated his call for calm after two nights of protests following the incident at Manchester Airport.

Mr Burnham said the situation was “complicated” and people should not “jump to conclusions”. He added that the investigation into the incident would continue and people should not “guess” what happened.

He said the city did not want people to “exploit” the situation to further their own interests or political agendas.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester gives a press conference on the latest news regarding the incident at the city’s airport.

A Greater Manchester Police officer is facing a criminal investigation for assault after video emerged showing a man being kicked and stamped on as he lay on the ground at Manchester Airport.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has also informed the constable that he is under investigation for potential serious misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including his use of force.

The watchdog previously said it had received a second referral from Greater Manchester Police. The first concerned the use of force against a man detained on the ground and the second concerned the use of Pava spray by the same officers on another man at the airport.

Catherine Bates, IOPC regional director, said: “We can confirm that we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of force during the events at Manchester Airport on 23 July. We plan to interview a police officer who is the subject of a criminal caution as soon as possible.

“I have met with one of the men involved and his family today to outline our investigation and we will continue to keep them and Greater Manchester Police informed of the progress of our investigations. We will speak to the man involved in the second incident as soon as possible.

“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and wishes to stress that they do not condone any acts of violence following this incident.

“We are meeting with a number of community leaders in Rochdale this afternoon to listen to their concerns and explain our role.

“Our investigation continues to gather relevant evidence and will follow up on several leads. We will provide further information as soon as we are able to do so.”

A police officer filmed kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport also pepper-sprayed and tackled another man to the ground in a separate incident.

A police officer was filmed stamping on a suspect as he lay face down at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday.

In the ensuing outcry, the officer was suspended by Greater Manchester Police and a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation.

This is the second night of protests over a man who was punched and stamped by a police officer at Manchester Airport.

Roads and tram lines were blocked in Manchester city centre on Thursday evening by people angry at the incident which led to the suspension of a Greater Manchester Police officer.

The man’s family are particularly shocked by what happened because some of his relatives are police officers, newly elected Rochdale Labour MP Paul Waugh said after speaking to them.

The family at the centre of the Manchester Airport controversy are “traumatised”, their MP has said.

Paul Waugh, the Labour MP for Rochdale, met the family after a video appeared to show a man being punched to the ground by a Greater Mancester Police officer in Terminal Two.

Mr Waugh told BBC Breakfast on Friday (July 26): “It’s clear from talking to them that they’re traumatised. A lot of people have seen that video and they’re devastated by it.”

“The police themselves said it was a distressing video, but imagine if it was your brother or your son in that video; you can imagine how upset they are.”

The watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is now investigating.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet with the Home Secretary and the Regional Director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

“It was agreed that the IOPC investigation currently underway will be conducted as expeditiously as possible, will involve community stakeholders and will be truly independent.

“The precise modalities will be defined by the IOPC.

“I hope that this will give people further reassurance that all the appropriate steps are being taken, that all the relevant issues will be fully considered and that it will give them confidence in the process as it moves forward.”

The Labour MP for Rochdale has warned that “extremists” could try to exploit the situation at Manchester Airport.

The footage, filmed at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday, appears to show a police officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man lying face down on the ground, with a woman kneeling beside him.

Speaking about the incident, Paul Waugh said: “Extremists of all kinds are going to try to exploit this and twist it for their own ends and that’s the last thing this city needs.

“So it’s my job to make sure that this family, who have reacted with great dignity to this situation, get what they want, which is that there is calm, but also that justice is done.”

Asked what he expected to happen next, Mr Waugh said: “I really hope that if there are protests they will be peaceful but that the wishes of the family will be respected.

“People should listen to them. They’re at the heart of this, ultimately, and they’re the ones who say, ‘Look, please let us continue and continue the independent process now.'”

“That is our priority, while ensuring that they receive appropriate medical assistance for their family members.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police Federation (GMP) said it had noted the decision to suspend the officer involved in the incident at Manchester Airport.

He said: “The case is now under investigation – everyone is entitled to a fair trial where all sides of the story are told and context is provided.

“As a staff association, we support the officer concerned and all our colleagues who were involved in this incident, including those who were injured.

“We also want to thank the many citizens who have reached out to us to show their support for our hard-working colleagues who do difficult and dangerous work. We are grateful to them.”