• Watchdog under fire for being too slow
• The statement issued by the Met
• I'll see you tomorrow if I am still living and breathing...
• Poll: Were the G20 police heavy handed?
• Pictures: Clashes at the G20 summit
• Hidden face of police
• Family torn apart by his death, says widow
• Key questions the Met must now answer
• Hearts and roses from four grieving daughters

Reader views (114)

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During the miners' strike in 1984/5 it was rumoured that, due to a shortage of police officers, soldiers were used. I don't know whether this was true but it would certainly explain why protagonists would want to hide their face and any identifying insignia.

- John, London, UK

I have commanded in a riot situation a few times. My first question would be why was this officer not correctly dressed - no shoulder titles, unless this was prearranged. Secondly it is obvious the officers were not "in contact" with a riot, they are standing in loose formation. The local commander of whatever rank is responsible for his units discipline, allowing an officer to break away and attack like this is totally unprofessional. He is also guilty of not producing a debriefing report, which by the lies that were told at first, he obviously did not. If any of my soldiers acted like this I woud have pinned him to the wall, for endangering his comrades with a stupid act.

- Wills, Soton

Let`s ask this simple question: If a member of the public went up to any police officer, struck him with a baton, then pushed him to the ground, you would would be instantly arrested and charged with assault. If the policeman later died. The charge would be manslaughter or murder.
-So why has the officer concerned in this case, not been arrested ?

- Sue St James., Halifax, UK

This balaclava/flame protection has me confused why do some officers appear to be covering most of their face whilst others do not is this personal choice?.One other point is have some officers removed their number?

- Paul Jakes, Maidstone UK

Lets al jump to conclusions! Obviously innocent - why? I wonder what he was saying to the copper; certainly not words of support.

- James Allan, London, England

A tramp was beaten to death last year at the Milan central station by two police officers,after the investigation, we heard that he was drunk and had pulled a knife,no excuse to beat him to death,but put yourselves in the position of these officers.
Same goes for these London officers,they have a bloody hard job,give them a break.

- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy

Sad episode but I was there and the Police behaved magnificently, given the provocation to which they were subjected. Thanks goodness we have a democracy and a Police force that normally acts responsibly and in the interests of the majority

- Nigel, St Albans

Nelc/Stephen

Well done for taking the bait

I'm no facist (you resorted to type with that one) and of course free speech prevails.

Stay safe in the armchair where you won't have to see what real life is really like

For info I stepped upto the plate 27 years ago. Want to join me?

- Mke, London

Nelc, Cheltenham-"Obviously no-one here is copper material, otherwise we'd be in the force already and wouldn't be so indiscreet as to post here."- I wouldn't be so sure of that. It would be a little unwise for a serving officer to identify him/herself as such if posting under his/her own name. I know of at least one serving member that posts regularly, both here and elsewhere, but has to be wary of the fact that freedom of speech is not welcome within the lower echelons of the force, especially if it's "off message".

- Rodney Stonmeister, UK

So now there's theories that mr Tomlinson was drinking and smoking before he collapsed.

I may be naive in this one, but couldnt that push to the floor be a total coincidence and that his smoking and drinking led towards his heart attack?

I still don't agree that the final push to the floor was fair by the police.
But if you'd be in a job every day where people are ungrateful and most of the time you get abuse in your face. You may also overreact.

- Jennifer, London

Mike, you don't have to be an expert to see that a police officer whacking someone with a baton and pushing him to the ground is not protecting anyone. Especially someone trying to <i>get out of the way</i> of the police. Tomlinson, drunk or sober, was no threat to anyone.

Obviously no-one here is copper material, otherwise we'd be in the force already and wouldn't be so indiscreet as to post here. That's just a non sequitar. I notice you're not in the force either. Don't have the courage of your convictions?

- Nelc, Cheltenham

Mike, perhaps it's time for people to see your kind of fascism for what it is. Of course the independent criminal investigation will make the decisions, as they have done before. But the last time I looked we were living in a democracy where freedom of speech is prized, if not by you, by the voting majority at any rate. Perhaps you need to heed your own advice, and put up or get out.

- Stephen, London

I cannot understand why Tomlinson was not allowed to explain the circumstances of his presence in the area, and then permitted to pass and go home.
Regardless of any prior engagement with Police, he was presenting no threat at the time he was struck with a baton and shoved forward so violently as to cause him to fall to the ground. The baton strike was an assault by any measure, including ACPO's guidance on Police use of force.
The balaclava is not worn to provide anonimity, it is a flame retardant garment that compliments the flame retardent coveralls worn as part of public order kit. It has to be donned before the public order helmet and has no facility for exposing the face.

- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster

Dave the Rave: As I understanf it he had tried other ways but they were all blocked off.

- Sue Rochester, London

Many comments are from people with agendas either for or against the police. Let them wait their turn, they can all have their say in due time.

The really urgent thing, if we have any claim to being a just society, is that Mr Tomlinson's widow and family are told the truth about the circumstances surrounding his death.

It's clear this hasn't happened yet. It needs to happen soon, and it seems this is up to the IPCC.

So - members of the IPCC - pull your fingers out. Work fast - over the Easter holiday period - carry on through the nights if necessary - so you can give the family the truth in days, not weeks or months!

- Mike, Cardiff UK

- Mr T Scott, Thurso, Scotland
Consider; Why was the policeman wearing a balaclava??

They are fireproof. Some very nasty people about the police have to deal with every single day matey.

- Frank, Home Counties, England.

Do not make premature Judgements, wait for all the evidence to be compiled...Do not jump to conclusions...

- Bryan, Rugeley

As expected tragic incidents like this prod the woodwork and out come the barrack room lawyers, ‘know it alls’ and closet police haters with their tabloidesque ill informed whining. None of you come up with an actual solution as to how an event like this should be policed. More importantly would any of you step up to do the complex, dangerous and thankless task of being a police officer in Britain today? No of course you wouldn’t. Too busy sitting on your behinds judging and moaning about things you don’t understand.

This officer has got some serious questions to answer. But let him be judged by the independent criminal investigation on the basis of witness, forensic and other primary evidence. That is the only way justice will be achieved for the deceased’s family and the public as a whole.

Your pathetic moral panic is sickening, and it’s time for every citizen to stand up and really take a look at what’s going on around them in this country. Law and order is crumbling against people who won’t take personal responsibility, and the police service might just be a reflection of what the public in this country now stand for. You get what you deserve at the end of the day.

I suggest you put up or shut up.

- Mike, London

I do not understand why people keep saying he should have avoided the place if he knew what was going on. Why? Perhaps he wanted a look? Perhaps he sympathised with the protestors or the government? Perhaps he thought he would be safe? Everyone has a right to protest - or to have a wander and a look - and should not be scared off by the though that the police might beat them if they have the nerve to exercise that right.

- Alasdair Cameron, London, UK

Gordon Brown must accept his share of responsibility for this tragedy. The G20 leaders could have had a video conference but Brown was intent on putting himself centre stage. Hosting the circus in central London was an invitation to all those groups of angry protesters, and stretched police resources to the limit. I hope when he is admiring his group photograph he will feel some remorse.

- R.F., Yorks, UK

The film doesn't show Ian Tomlinson being aggressive to the policeman (he has his back to them and had his hands in his pockets!) and just because he is wearing a Millwall t-shirt we cannot assume he was causing trouble. The police were being heavy-handed and it's a shame that this action may have triggered a heart attack.

- Lucy Mcq, UK

Anon: with 'the people who cause such mayhem' you probably refer to the police, don't you? The only people who have actually caused someone's death here. And why should anyone be obliged to avoid the demonstration (even if he could)? Are we not supposed to be free to demonstrate? Are we not supposed to be protected by the police, and not the opposite? They want to scare people so we don't go to marches and demonstrations, but free political expression is a right they are not taking away.

- Daniel, London

"I live down there "
Threadneedle Street ?

- Giuliano, London UK

Monument is my tube station so I recognised Ian Tomlinson immediately I saw his picture. It had been bothering me why he took that route but I wasn't going to say anything publicly until I saw that "Anon" already had done so. To anyone who doesn't know the area well, I can tell you that this man's work was based within a minute or two of where the main melee was taking place. Working outside as he did, he would have known as well as anyone - if not better - what was going on. I have since read about where he lived and he absolutely could have taken a detour around the trouble. I guess we will probably never know why he didn't. I'm not suggesting for one minute that means he deserved to come to any harm for doing so, just that it is baffling why he chose to go that way.

- Dave The Rave, London

@ Chrissy: a man, apparently minding his own business, is knocked to the ground face first by a police officer who comes up behind him. He dies shortly afterwards from a heart attack. And this is no one's fault. Let's be honest indeed!

- Oliver, Uk, London

This is such a sad story but why oh why did this gentleman go near the site if he knew what was going on. Surely he could have bypassed the trouble and got home safely another way. I also feel sorry the the police, if they get involved they are wrong, if they stand back they are wrong. It is the people who cause such mayhem who should be taken to task and thrown out of our country.

- Anon, uk

People should be fully aware that if Mr Tomlinson had pushed the Policeman in the same manner he would have arrested for assault and would have already appeared before a Judge and more than likely received a custodial sentence. I know of somebody who kicked a police horse, which was being used as a weapon by its rider and received five years.

One thing that many people my not be aware is that if you assault somebody and they die within one year you can be charged with murder! There have been cases in the past where this has happened.

One of the main reasons I stopped going to football matches was the regularly heavyhandedness of the police. To your average football supporter this type of police behavior is not uncommon.

- Mark, South-East London

It's a bit sad, but I too, have never in all my 49 years been helped by a policeman, they're all too quick to persecute anyone looking like they might commit a traffic offence, but disappear and don't want to know if you're burgled or get assaulted.

I'm very glad that this film was released.

Well, I've decided that I shall be at the next protest, for the first time in my life, (suitably dressed in protective gear of course, at the least, padded trousers and crash helmet), the forces of thuggery must not be allowed to stifle legitimate protest.

- Anne Hudson, Romford, UK

What a disgrace, that's not policing, its just pure evil,

Our prayers are with Mr Tomlinsons' family at this difficult time...

- Steve, Dublin, Ireland

It's my guess that the police were hyped up and thought this was someone trying to 'sneak through'. Which is not trying to excuse them, but they were in a terrible situation and in the context of what was happening around them.... Let's be honest. Most people would not even have contemplated doing what this man did. I doubt I would have even been at work that day. I certainly wouldn't have tried to get though. So I think it was an unfortunate accident

- Chrissy, Halifax UK

John from Aderdeen, do you have some sort of selective reading disorder?

It certainly seems so, considering you've completely neglected to recognise that in both of my posts I have acknowldeged that the police were out of order and that the police officer in question should be dealt with properly.

But rather typically, people are far too happy to read what they want to read and hear what they want to hear. Of course the police officer should be investigated and if found guilty of assault, manslaughter or whatever, should be sentenced.

I hope I haven't written anything there that's ambiguous enough for people to twist to support their own viewpoint.

- Alex, London

As an ex-Police Officer and Defensive Skills Instructor ( I trained Officers in the correct use of batons, CS spray, etc ) I can say from viewing that video that the Officer was facing no threat from Mr Tomlinson and therefore had absolutely no justification in his actions. There were at least two section supervisors present ( visible by their blue vests ) They should all be easily identified along with the Dog Handlers. This Officer should come forward without delay, or be identified by colleagues. They know who he is. It's not clear to me if he was a Met Officer or City of London, but the CCTV should make that plain. No cover up please Commissioner, this Officer has no place in the Force, nor have any Officers that try to hide him.

- Paul Bradford, Monflanquin, France

When they wear "riot gear" are their official identity numbers clearly visible? Otherwise how is retrospective identification possible?

- Jb, London

This is a an act of violence against innocent people, R.I.P mister Ian Tomlinson, his family needs justice , the worst thing in this case is that the London police is not taking any responsibility what about the other cameras it is well known that London is one of the most watched and monitored cities in the world and why the police is not keen in finding the guilty one.

Please this man needs justice and the police is not giving the justice he needs well it opens a debate of if people can trust the police, this is harder to handle it.

- Odin, Oslo Norway

Why were the police there in the first place ?

- Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD

Alex in London forgets that if you are used to being on those streets, ie they are "your" streets, where you make your living selling something you are going to appear more relaxed than you or I would be. He probably saw lots of this sort of stuff in his time selling newspapers over the years and he had had a drink that relaxed him even more and yes he may have even wanted to wind someone up a bit. Now if he had wound you up like this Alex are you honestly telling me that when you pushed a man with his hands in his pockets and killed him we should just have a laugh on the jury, yes there would be a trial believe it or not, and give you a nice fat juicy pension? Are you mad? You'd be banged up no questions asked and they'd quite rightly throw away the key and these same officers would probably be the first to give you a good kicking in the back of the van for daring to attack an old "character" such as him. One rule for them and one for you Alex, ..... or are you one of them too?

- John, Aberdeen, UK

As a retired police officer [the met] all I can say is isnt it typical of the way theses officers react today? Why cant they realise that withiut the respect of the general public, we will never get back to the days when police were admired and respected. Maybe no experience of beat walking has a lot to do with it. In my day officers had to spend a minimum of 4 years learning the job on the streets. Its all rather a shame,

- John Hamilton, st.ives Cornwall

The police action is totally unacceptable - anyone watching the video can see that, thought the evidence was there before that if you looked at the witness statements on the web. The almost impeccable behaviour of the protesters is notable when compared to the actions of these police officers. Of the over 100 protesters arrested, how many have been charged?

The problem is that the police are constantly worried - probably scared is a better word. They seem to believe that we, the public they are meant to protect, are all likely to stab or attack them at any moment. They treat the lawful protesters as criminals, restricting their movements, filming them and baton charging into groups. These bullies need to be rooted out of the police force and a new compact established with the public. And the bullies are not just those who hit and ignored the violence, but also the senior officers who established the aggressive ethos of the policing of the protest.

- Richard Rothwell, Stourbridge, UK

Name the policeman.

- Barbus, Liverpool

re: Alex , London and Greg, Wigan:

Are you policeman by any chance? I understand where you are coming from and you are quite wrong. If you dont walk quickly enough we will barge you to the ground.sorry what was I thinking...its only a gentle push..great tactics..no wonder we are in the state we are in

- Darren, London

The way I see it is, if the Police were innocent they would have put their hands up and said sorry, but no there was a cover up.

- Brendan Dowling, Marbella Spain

I hope the public are going to be shown the real video of this case as this seems too convenient. "A public place was a place for the people to go about their business unhindered by anyone".
That was part of the problem as the demonstrators did not allow the public to go about their business due to roads being blocked.

- Sarah, London

Alex: Death a bit of a steep punishmnet for not walking quick enough, don't you think?
And the ladies on here able to coldiy shrug off this man's death putting it down simply to"being in the wrong place at he wrong time" - rest assured we won't shed too many tears if you ever have the same unfortunate fate.

- Sam, watford

'It's common sense that in such a situation you move away as quickly as you can.'

Not when there are two police dogs snapping at your heels, running would be the single worst thing you could do, what do you think police dogs are trained to do?

- Sally Gordon, Bromley By Bow

Is it not correct that it now is or soon will be illegal to photograph police? So they will even more surely get away with abuses to our freedoms.

- Gordon (No Relation), London UK

@ Steve from London.

I wondered who would be the first to come up with some tragically pedantic retort about a speed limit for walking. Very predictable.

If you cannot see the antagonistic effect of not moving along with sufficient haste after being asked to, then warned to, move away then you obviously haven't had to deal with such a situation.

It's common sense that in such a situation you move away as quickly as you can. He didn't.

I'm not excusing the police's following actions and hopefully the oficer in question will face the relevant punishment.

But the man was given more than enough warning and it's obvious that he could've avoided the situation altogether. The police have to put up with this sort of passive antagonism all the time. People deliberately refusing to move along or adhere to their instructions, seemingly safe in the knowledge that the police can do nothing about it. People will deliberately test the police's limits, then cry foul when the officers react.

This man was by all accounts innocent, but I assure you there will have been hundreds employing such tactics to make the police's job more difficult.

Therefore general public should've been aware that the police were in a stressful situation trying to deal with thousands of protestors and hundreds of potential troublemakers.

This man should've done everything he could to avoid getting caught up in it, including moving along with sufficient haste when asked to. It's simple common sense.

- Alex, London

Consider; Why was the policeman wearing a balaclava??

- Mr T Scott, Thurso, Scotland

A fairly gentle push in the back, no more no less.

Some of the hysterical anti police remarks on this site, say more about where the posters are coming from, than about the police.
It is very sad that a man has died, but this video shows clearly, that it was simply an accident. Perhaps if hundreds of thugs and rioters had not neen attacking the police and innocent bystanders for hours on end, this man might now still be alive.
The protest groups need to review their own part in this unfortunate death.

- Greg, Wigan England

A full inquiry is required in this case of Ian Tomlinson's death with more questions being raised through new revelations of information by the media.

- Atma Singh, London

Good on you Eoin Mcgreeghan, your comments sum up my feelings about it completely.

The provocation and hate that the police must have faced that day was immense, and we should be grateful to them for taking on such an intolerable burden of trying to keep public order of such an unruly mob with kid gloves.

The police need and deserve our support, as without them it would have been anarchy.

- John, Bickley

To ^Alex, London, the more you watch the more provocative his actions seem? Are we watchign the same clip? A man with hunched shoulders, head down, hands in pockets is intimidating to a gang of thugs with batons and dogs?

The criminal that threw this man to the ground should be charged just as you or I would if we had attacked an innocent man walking home from work. I never gave a damn about the protesters before, now watching the police fabricate a bunch of lies to hide the fact makes my skin crawl, I will never help the old bill again, ever, unless the criminal stands trial for his actions, truly disgusting, makes we want to throw up, shameful, I cant express how angry and sickened I am by the initial crime then the cover up, disgusting.

- Dave, london

Let us be clear, the man was a newspaper vendor on his way home from work for the day and by all accounts had had a few drinks on the way. There is absolutely no suggestion he was part of the demonstration, or antagonistic to the police, except maybe as a Londoner with a few pints inside him might be when trying to get home via a demo and being shouted at by the police.

- Mrs Jackson, london england

The guy was just walking home from work, minding his own business wasnt being agressive whatsoever as you can clearly see on the footage! and the police assualted him leading to his death!

But the policeman involved as usual will get off!

- Cm, London

The balaclava and lack of visible identification on the police officer tells you all you need to know about this despicable incident.

As does the flat denial until evidence is produced.

- Steve, London

Surely the police involved directly are most likely to be constables and sergeants. They are NOT officers. The word officer seems now to be used for all of them.

- Mic, Portugal

Alex, London

I wasn't aware there was now a minimum speed limit on walking, or that it was legal to assault a member of public for not obeying police instructions.

- Steve, London

Alex, walking slowly, or ambling if you prefer, are not, as far as I am aware, an offence worthy of arrest, let alone assault. Believe it or not, you don't have to actually move just because a police officer asks (or tells) you to. We don't live in a police state, just yet.

However slow he was walking, even if he was "making a nuisance of himself (Joe)", he was not intefering with their duties as police officers, they could have simply walked by...I believe he was ambling through a public space.

Of course, you'll be correct in what you say if you are happy to concede that the presence of the police on the streets means that "we-must-do-as-we-are-told-at-all-times" lest we get an extended ASP around the back of the legs. It's not a UK I want to live in, thanks.

"This is the sort of provocation that police officers will have had to put up with all day." And precisely the kind of provocation their training should give them the skills to deal with sensibly without resorting to physical violence. It was hardly violent provocation.

Of course, we don't know what happened before. Reports suggest some prior confrontation for which he may be entirely responsible. He may have been displaying signs of the illness that were to ultimately claim him. We don't know...either way, what is seen in that video is just simply wrong. If the other officers there have any morals at all, the officer responsible will already be answering questions.

- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County

Forgive my naivity, but where is the morality of this riot officer? He should know what's he's done is wrong and admit this. And I'm sure the officers around him during the incident know his identity, so why do they remain silent? No wonder the police are held in such disrespect.

- Philip, London, England

And they wonder why there is no respect for law and order in broken Britatin anymore.

The Met police are clearly so short of recruits that they have to employ the thugs that would normally be arrested by them.

The officer concerned should be brought to trial as a member of the public and prosecuted as such. No doubt he will be let off with a slap on the wrist.

- Gareth, Hampshire

What is the point of the IPCC "investigating" this? The IPCC is made up entirely of retired police officers who will clearly seek to protect this officer's reputation. It is high time the police were overseen by a truly independent review body rather than the police "investigating" the police.

- John, London

As usual we now have people such as Mr Howarth of the Liberal Demoprats and others such as Jacqui Smith (who no doubt is glad to see publicity deflected from her disgusting behaviour) crowing about the police actions during the G20 demonstrations and calling for a witch hunt.
YES a man died . . . but clearly he was not complying with police directions and the officer in question was well within the constraints of his/her public order training to use force to ensure compliance. A shove is at the lower end of the scale in such matters.
I also find it doubtful as to the press allegation that he was not a protester, but merely an innocent bystander. This old chestnut is one we heard in Northern Ireland time and time again from rioters after they had been struck by plastic bullets - " Oh, poor me, I was only out for a loaf of bread and a pint of milk (just ignore the fact that it was the middle of the night)"
The man ultimately died from a heart attack, and it is just as likely this was brought on by the actions of the demonstrators . . . maybe he found them shocking ! ! !
Its time all this whining ended.
If I was in a MET or any police TSG now, I would be looking for a transfer out to another branch and would not get involved in any public order duties whatsoever. Let the Parliamentarians form up and deal with these disturbingly pathetic demonstrators from now on, see how they fair out.
The police are DAMNED if they do and DAMNED if they don't ! ! !

- Eoin Mcgreeghan, Derry, NI

The more I watch this footage the more questions it raises for me. Although the police were heavy handed and never should've shoved the man when he had his hands in his pockets and was unable to brace himself, it is clear to me that he was given enough warning to move out of the way.

We're told that he was just on his way home, but we clearly see him at the beginning of the video lingering near the bike stands. He waits until the very last moment to move out of the way of the approaching police officers and then at an incredibly slow pace. I know that if I see a crowd of police coming towards me in roit gear and with dogs, I'm going to get out of their way as quickly as possible. So why didn't he?

Despite warnings and the dogs at his feet, then a rap on the legs from a baton the man STILL doesn't move away with any purpose, instead simply ambling away, hands in pockets. This is the sort of provocation that police officers will have had to put up with all day. Protestors trying to hold up their prgoress, refusing to move along and in some cases confronting them.

The more I watch the footage the more antagonistic the man's actions seem. Why did he wait until the very last moment to move out of the way? And why so slowly? And he is clearly seen at the end of the footage walking off in a different direction from that in which he was moving earlier in the footage, so was he going straight home, or was he actually hanging around making a nuisance of himself?

- Alex, London

Joe, you say that "the man does seem to be making a nuisance of himself". But a photographer says she saw Mr Tomlinson pushed over and hit twice BEFORE the attack that was filmed. If true, he was probably still in shock and dazed.

- Jon, London

"Conspiracy nuts" like me have warned in the strongest language that we are sliding into a police state. If the law forbidding the filming or photographing of police is allowed to stand, then crimes such as this one will occur in secret and we shall never know about them.

- Neil M., london uk,

The fact of the matter is if I hit a man with a batton and pushed him to the ground and he died 30 mins later then the police would be after me for murder / manslaughter as quick as you like.

Violence should only be used for defense and in this case it most certainly wasn't.

- Mark, St Albans

'Lewis, I suggest you get your facts in order and back up your claims that bankers cynically manipulate the markets. Utter nonsense. Bitter because your house value has fallen or your buy-to-let didn't work out?' - Investment Banker, London

Dear Investment Banker
For what it's worth I have lost nothing in the meltdown - in fact my offset tracker mortgage repayments have gone down as has the remaining term. Still, thanks for making me laugh! Always nice to hear from yesterday's man - or woman. Now off you go back to the 80s.

- Lewis, London

It should be noted that whoever took this video was carrying out a criminal act, and as far as the police and the government is concerned they should be prosecuted.

Which is why it is a surprise that the policeman allegedly carrying out the attack was masked to hide his identity?

Regardless of whether the images had been edited or not, under the UK’s previous method of justice there is no sort of provocation that could justify this sort of act by the police. What has to be remembered as shown on the BBC’s Newsnight this in reality was a very minor demonstration there were very few protestors to be seen anywhere in London.

A public place was a place for the people to go about their business unhindered by anyone. The police previously worked for the people and not the State.

I have to stop now as my Internet Service Provider has to pass the information of this communication with The Standard to the State and my Local Council.

Who’s does this country belong to, the State, or the people?

- Ian, Reading, England

Joe

i) Ian Tomlinson wasn't a protestor - he was trying to walk home from work. He may have been dressed in a similar manner to those protesting but wasn't it the Met police who put out a press release encourgaing city workers to 'dress down'.
ii) as for this may have had nothing to do with his death, according to Wikipedia, there are about 30 fatal heart attacks per hour across the entire UK adult population, which we can assume is around 40 million. If the crowd is representative, that would translate to around a 0.3 per cent chance of a fatal heart attack occurring, per hour of the demo. So what chance - around 1-2%? Depending on the length of the demo?

Of course, this assumes that the conditions are typical. But it's known that the risk of heart attack increases sharply with acute stress. Do you feel this man was subjected to any acute stress, at all, at any stage?

Good luck to you if you should ever find yourself in trouble with the law mate

- Ian, London

Joe, London There's a difference between providing police with powers to prevent crime such as "Stop & Search" and blantantly attacking someone who is walking away from the police with his back to them and not being provocative.
As for Ranter, Maidstone,UK...A peaceful protest was indeed what was needed, but a violent police reaction on someone being non-violent, as in this case, should quite rightly lead to the policeman involved having to endure criminal charges.

- Mark H, London England

I am extremely concerned by this video and Mr Tomlinsons' behaviour. The video is initially focussing on a group of people as you'd expect in a situation where persons are filming at a demonstration. For a reason only known to the camera(man?) (who it appears hasn't been identified), he then turns to film a complete stranger. This totally unconcerned passerby (Tomlinson) - who landed from Mars in the middle of a demo - who was taking the evening air completely unaware of what was going on, and seemingly taking the long way home, was then told to move on from obstruction the highway by a group of officers. Honestly who walks around with thier hands in their pockets these days. Apparently refusing to move he was encouraged and lost his balance. This looks VERY staged. I empathise with his family for thier loss, but i do think there is more to this than meets the eye.

As with 7/7 the police have made themselves look fools by the inital denial of police contact, but i would be very surprised if they actually killed him.

- Tom, London

The new law banning the filming of the Police MUST be repealed immediately. If it isn't we will never get to know the truth about anything in the future, and the Police will degenerate even further into being the thugs of the state.

I am a middle aged respectable accountant, who previously was a big supporter of the British Police force. Unfortunately one of the many terrible things new Labour have achieved is turning even people like myself against the Police.

Surely the public lack of faith in British Policing is an even bigger reason for the Home Secretary to resign than her stolen expenses?

- Stephen, London

OK, time for a bit of common sense.

Yes Mr Tomlinson was moving slowly and yes it could be construed as obstructive.

Yes the Police Officer was right to try and encourage Mr Tomlinson to move on quickly.

Hitting him in the back with such force was over the top.

- Disappointed, UK

I am sorry we are now living in a police state in the UK. Moreover, the footage could be deemed technically illegal because it is now a crime to photograph police officers. What has become of the country? I am now genuinely concerned and scared!

- John David, London

It's assault alright. Of course, it's telling that the police deny it ever happened - until footage appears. Then again, only the guy who did it would necessarily know, the other coppers might not have actually seen it. It was a very quick nudge.

That said, you wouldn't normally expect such an assault to lead to death - we're not talking a sustained attack with a baton or truncheon. The poor guy seemed out of it before it happened and not in the best of health.

- Clive Morris, London, England

I agree with Gill, the Police have to deal with so much abuse and no gratitude most of the time.
However, that unprovoced attack was over the top.
Indeed we don't know if Mr Tomlinson was previously known to have committed any crime. Point still is that the attack at that moment was not needed.
Still the question is, did mr Tomlinson have a history of heart problems?
Are we sure the heart attack was linked to the fall to the ground?

- Jennifer, London

People should know the context of everything they see. Obviously I do not know the context of this incident but it would be wrong for people to jump to conclusions.
I do know however, that many of the officers working at the G20 had barely two hours sleep at best - being stood down at one am and them being expected to be ready- and fit, for work at three am - two hours later.
Maybe if the Government employed more police officers and treated their current police officers properly they wouldn't be permanently exhausted.
No other profession is treated in such a shoddy way - no one else would put up with it!
So the next time the press tries to whip up fury about the police, you should consider what dreadful hours they do and the appalling way they are treated by everyone. Then be grateful that we have so many dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of the public- disregarding their own..

- Gill, caterham surrey

first of all, the man does seem to be making a nuisance of himself and after been told to move once and twice as shown in the video he was pushed to the floor. Why do police have to put up with it? Secondly I really doubt this was the reason behind the mans death and finally!! if the police are going to get done for pushing a man to the floor then this country will only be shooting itself in the foot. Police need to be given more confidence and power rather then punishing them and maybe then! we will have less knife crime, robbery and 11 year old kids walking around as if they are in the wild west.

- Joe, London

How can this happen in a "Democracy"?

The answer may lie here:- https://smallbusiness.dnb.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IballValidationCmd?storeId=10001&catalogId=70001&busName=THE%20METROPOLITAN%20POLICE&state=undefined&country=GB &cm_mmc=dnb*home*gws*lookup#goTop

Perhaps we should all be asking why The Metropolitan Police are trading as a CORPORATION? Also ask why THE MINISTRY of JUSTICE is trading as 3 separate Corporations! (See attachment).

Oh, by the way so is THE MOD (Trading as a Corporation{!!

We have all been conned, big time!

Nick
Askham
Cumbria
ENGLAND

- Nick Green, Askham, England

What has the Labour party to do with this, Boris is the Mayor of London the police are in his control and he is a Conservative. At present he is looking into this and who could he sack this time ? What difference has either party ever made in such matters. Due to modern technology we are all able to view this and form an opinion.

- KD., Kent.U.K.

I find most of the comments thus far to be quite amazing and very depressing. The footage (quite selective and possibly edited) does look awful but there are two sides to every story and all recent similar cases where a police officers has been tried by video and a howling mob and been declared guilty by his/her senior managers have been found wanting. The oficer has had to endure a criminal trial and been found not guilty. No whitewash - it has never worked that way. They've been found not guilty by a jury each time. Perhaps it is best to let judicla process wend it's way instead of this over the top baying from people who seemingly haven't a clue. Lets see all the film and photos from the masss of photographers that seemed intent on capturing violence (maybe they share some blame too) Ultimately the people who bear responsibility are those like Professor Chris Knight (where was he al day?)and the rest of the usual rent a mob who declared their violent intentions which necessitated such a police response. A peaceful protest, which is what was needed because of the parlous state of this country would have resulted in a minimal police presence, It seems that everyone is moved to near hysteria these days - just get a grip.

- Ranter, Maidstone, UK

Can you imagine how many innocent people they would shoot at and kill if British police were all armed like they are in France or the USA?

- Mike, London

this copper should be up on a murder charge, if any member of the public did the same they would be.

- stan, sidcup

Lewis, I suggest you get your facts in order and back up your claims that bankers cynically manipulate the markets. Utter nonsense. Bitter because your house value has fallen or your buy-to-let didn't work out?

- Investment Banker, London

After veiwing the footage, it is obvious that this a serious case of unwarranted assault on a member of the public,by a police officer.What is worse,is the fact, that very shortly thereafter,he suffered a fatal heart attack.These two events are without doubt,inextricably linked.The police initially denied that there was any contact with Mr Tomlinson,but have now had to change their tune,purely because of the appearance of this film.I sincerley hope for once that they and the IPCC do the right thing and that the public are not given excuses for the inexcusible.Respect is hard to earn but very easy to lose.

- Frank K, manchester

I am sick to death of people knocking the police.
They do a very difficult and dangerous job - and the press and public love to try to find fault with them the whole time, instead of giving them the support they deserve and need.
I thought that the police were incredibly restrained at the G20 and yesterday at the Tamil protests. They work dreadful hours and behaviour professionally and with restraint the whole time, despite the way protestors spit at them and throw things at them and try to punch them.
I have the utmost admiration for the MET.... well done all of them.

- Gill, caterham surrey

I'm sure that Browns New World didn't expect the super surveillance to work against the powers.

This was not in his 21st century plans for eroding our privacy, our rights and our disposable income. Dammit I can hear him say - 'It's them that we need on camera, NOT us'!!!

- Chris Williams, Cardiff

If I had committed this crime, I would be looking at a murder charge. Officers should NOT be allowed to cover their faces. If the officer concerned does not come forward then all the officers whose faces can be seen in the video should be charged with perverting the course of justice.

- Chris, Rochester

Completely unacceptable. There should be a prosecution, though I have a nasty suspicion that it will somehow prove impossible to identify the officer concerned...! I hope I'm wrong. The comment by Mr Smyth of the Police Federation is really crass. He seeks to defend the officers on the grounds that they may simply have assumed the man was one of the protesters. As if that would legitimise shoving him until he falls over and then hitting him with a baton. I'm normally predisposed to support the police, but this looks like unprofessional thuggery.

- Bryan Armstrong, London

Welcome to the Brown/Labour's communist state,an innocent man is attacked by police for nothing.

- Stephen, London

Shocking assault on an innocent passer-by. The officer responsible should be charged with assault at the very least; if their action contributed to Mr Tomlinson's death they should be charged with manslaughter. The other police standing around obviously condoned the action so should also be severely punished (demotion back to the lowest rank, with the reduction in pay/pension that entails). Sadly there will probably be a whitewash and those responsible will get away with it.

With footage like this, it's no wonder they don't want people filming them! If the police applied that law with the same degree of force that they applied to an innocent member of the public, this film of an arrestable offense would never have seen the light of day.

- Ian, Cambridge

Of course the offending officer will get away with it - it makes me sick.

- Mark Burton, St Ives Cambs

Should that not be manslaughter. I was disgusted when I saw this video. The man
was clearly harmless with his hands in his pockets.

- Brian Fast, Sydney Australia

This is NOT an isolated incident.
Last Wednesday lunchtime, walking back to the office, I was grabbed by the shoulders and pushed around ten feet by a PC.
So many people witnessed and photographed this unprovoked attack, that the commanding officer actually took me to one side and apologised for his colleague's bahaviour.
Fortunately, I received nothing more than bruises.
My confidence in the police is not what it was.

- David, London

Someone with the right digital camera equipment should be able to look at these images and identify the responsible policeman/women by their rank and number on their epilates.
With this information we will all know who did this, and who to avoid next time we feel the urge to complain about the Police State we live in!

- Andrew Johnson, Birmingham

The 'investigation' is being carried out by City of London police, even though there are City of London police officers present during the assault, who did nothing. So this investigation is flawed from the start, and will end in the usual whitewash by the utterly discredited IPCC.

- Jon, London

I don't agree with many of the coments here, just because a man walks past the police with his hands in his pockets doesn't make him innocent of a previous crime. However, there was clearly no need to strike him, and this was a terrible act.

- Teddy, Islington, London

The footage is damning. How can a man walking away with hands in his pocket be seen as a threat to a policeman in riot gear? Also where in the PSG riot training manual does it teach 'pushing a man violently in the back when he has hands in pocket'?

A Traffic Cop in South Wales was just sent to prison for 5 months for crashing his patrol car at 110mph - if the scales of justice are applied then Officer Pushy must surely be executed? Or is it not as important as those damned speeding offences?..............

- Chris Williams, Cardiff

Whats the 'Could' bit, this police officer should face charges of manslaughter.
The Met better find who this is and get them on trial.

- Chris Milburn, Tonbridge,England

It makes me sick to see what kind of people work in police these days.

- Sasa, london

Where was all this balanced reporting last week? Where are all those posters who, despite the fact that they weren't there, seemed qualified to judge from TV footage that the demonstrators were in fact rioters who were battering police,that the police acted with great restraint and that 'kettling' was only done to protect, um, well I'm still not sure of that one?

- Ted, London UK

I wanted to go on the protest on April 1st but didn't because I was scared. Scared of the police. I was right to be it seems. I am a middle class middle aged white woman who wanted to protest at the bankers and their cynical manipulation of the markets. I am generally a supporter of the police, of law and order. But the restrictions on our liberty are going too far. We need to stop the police treating us all as criminals at the request of this sordid and vile government. which is eroding our rights day by day. I hope this man's family get justice for this appalling and gratuitous act. Meanwhile I can only suggest that we all join Liberty.

- Lewis, London

I really hate saying this but in all my 39 years I have never been helped by a policeman or encountered anyone who has. Isnt that terrible? I'm not saying there arent some good policeman out there, just that I havent encountered one.

- John Entwistle, Hertford

We all know what a difficult job the police have in controlling demonstrations, etc., etc., and we can all agree that by and large they have done a great job, BUT they have to do so legally and if they break the law they have to expect some sort of prosecution. Crowd control is a difficult art and we all know about means employed in various parts of the world to make the job a little easier -- that doesn't make them desireable or even tolerable. Rolling over demonstrators with tanks is one such technique. Knocking down demonstrators from behind is probably another one.

- Bloke, London

Let's see how the police wriggle out of this one then?

- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland

Thank God this was filmed. Under Brown's "New World Order", filming the police is a crime. Shame on the policeman, but you can be sure he will not even be disciplined, let alone convicted.

- Neil M., london uk,

This video clearly shows an unprovoked attack by a police officer on a passer-by, the police have a hard task in keeping order, but this is not acceptable. When he was pushed he had no way of using his hands to break the fall, did he hit his head?

- Carlo Cusano, Bedford

Is it a policeman or policewoman who allegedly pushed Mr.Tomlinson? This seems quite small and has feminie hands. He/she also appear to be lefthanded!

- Martin, London

This is awful. The gentleman clearly poses no threat, he is has his hands in his pockets. It is awful that no other Policeman intervened and helped him, nor remonstrated the Police Office who pushed him. I usually have great faith in our Police Force who do a difficult job under difficult cirmstances. We don't need Police Officers like this who bring the rest into disrepute. This was an act of unprovoke violence and must be dealt with firmly and decisively. My sympathies are with this gentleman's family.

- Kim, Lancing, West Sussex

Very shocking!

- Julie, London

This is disgusting - an obvious unprovoked attack. As for the comments by Peter Smyth trying to defend the attack are absolutely pathetic and groundless. Day to day you don't find police on the streets - they leave that to the community support officers, whilst they stay in their cars too lazy or cowardly to get out.

- Justin, London

It is clearly an unprovoked and sickening example of brutish police behaviour against an innocent man.
The policeman involved should be charged, at the very least, with common assault/GBH.
Given that poor Mr Tomlinson died minutes later of a heart attack, then MANSLAUGHTER is what I would charge the policeman with, as precipitated by the foolish cowardly and unsighted attack on Mr Tomlinson.
I am sickened to think "our" police can gravitate to this sort of unprovoked attack.

- Captain Bryn Wayt, Heathfield, England

I have seen these cowards do things like this for years at football matches. They get away with it everytime

They are legal thugs, the biggest criminal gang, hooligan mob in the country

Hopefully this one time, there will be no getting away with it and justice will be done

- Lb, London

The cops will get away with it.

- Sally Gordon, Bromley By Bow

When the Police become nothing more than thugs, as they are quite clearly here, then we have lost the last hope of remaining a free democracy.

- Adam, Harrow, UK

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