Police Officer suspended following Manchester Airport incident

A Greater Manchester Police officer has been suspended from all duties after a video emerged showing a man being kicked as he lay on the floor at Manchester Airport.

The incident happened at the airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday evening at just after 8.30pm.

Greater Manchester Police said the incident following an earlier altercation where three officers were violently assaulted.  In a further update police said the officer had been removed from duties but had not been suspended.

In the footage being shared across WhatsApp and social media a man is seen lying face down and is being shielded by an elderly woman. He is being tasered and then an officer proceeds to boot him in the head and then stamp on his head as people watch on.

The elderly woman attempts to shield the man who was already lying helpless on the floor and had made no attempt to get up.

Another man with his hand behind his head is seated close to where the incident is taking place. He is then told to lie on the ground and threatened with a taser by an officer.

Both men are then restrained by officers as the elderly woman, who is believed to the mother of the man who was kicked by the officer, moves away. Two officers also kneel on one man who has made no attempt to get up. Another visibly shocked female officer attempts to diffuse the situation.

A police spokesman 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 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 incident led to overnight protests at Rochdale Police Station as crowds of people gathered outside a police station in a late-night protest over a video which appeared to show an officer kicking a man as he lay on the floor.

Demonstrators were reported to have shouted “GMP shame on you” as an estimated 200 people gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday night at the protest, which police said concluded “without incident”.

Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said the man who was struck was a resident of the town and he would be meeting his family.

He said: “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 had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible.

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.”