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Woman attacked on film hires PR guru to win £50,000 media deal
Benedict Moore-Bridger16 Apr 2009
A WOMAN hit by a policeman at the G20 protests plans to demand compensation and is seeking to sell her story via publicist Max Clifford.
Nicola Fisher, 35, said she had been badly bruised in the alleged assault outside the Bank of England on 2 April, which was filmed and posted on YouTube.
The sergeant, from the Metropolitan Police Territorial Support Group, who had concealed his identity number, has since been suspended.
Miss Fisher, who works at an animal sanctuary in East Sussex, had been attending a vigil in the City for 47-year-old Ian Tomlinson, who died of a heart attack during protests a day earlier.
Photographs show Miss Fisher shouting and swearing at the sergeant before he appears to strike her across the face and hit her legs with his baton.
Miss Fisher, who lives with her boyfriend Jamie and her dog Poppy in the basement flat of a Victorian house in Brighton, said: "I had gone to London to protest about climate change. I really love animals and that's what I'm worried about.
"When I got hit I was trying to get to the vigil for the dead protester. I wanted to pay my respects.
"I was trying to get through and couldn't. The policeman pushed me and I pushed him back. Then he hit me in the face. He hit me with the back of his hand.
"There wasn't any bruising or marks on my face. He was wearing a glove.
"On my legs I could see marks on the day but they came up a lot worse the next day. My boyfriend took pictures at the protest. I had black bruises on my legs the next day which were very bad."
Miss Fisher is now negotiating a media deal through agent Max Clifford. She is thought to be seeking £50,000 for her story. She is also believed to be planning a compensation claim.
Neighbours said Miss Fisher had lived in the flat for about 10 years. It bears an anti-fur slogan and a 2003 Glastonbury Festival sticker.
One of her neighbours, who did not want to be named, said: "I know she mouths off about green politics but it is normally down in the local park with the dog-on-a-string brigade.
"I'm surprised they managed to get out of Brighton, never mind all the way to London. They drive everyone around here to distraction."
Reader views (48)
Just saw a quote form this young lady in a newspaper
"It was like I had been whipped by the Taliban"
What a load of rubbish
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world, 17/04/2009 09:54
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How ironic is it that Miss Fisher was at a protest against greed when this 'happy slapping' occured? Now here she is sticking her nose in the trough to get a big pay day.
I'm sure if I pushed a Policeman I would get what I deserved, and it certainly aint £50k
- Darren, Broxbourne, UK, 17/04/2009 07:33
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She should try working for a living. But I guess she thinks that compensation and payments from papers etc aren't taxable - this is one one for the Inland Revenue.
- Martin, London, 17/04/2009 00:26
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This woman swore at the officer at least twice, committing an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, and she has also admitted pushing the officer, so she has also commited the offence of assaulting a constable.
I suggest she ignores her PR consultant for a bit and gets a good solicitor!
- Matt, London, 16/04/2009 21:35
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Nicky Fisher is right to do this, because she will not get justice from the toothless IPCC or the courts.
96 Liverpool fans died, no action taken against police; Blair Peach died, ditto. Jean Charles de Menezes shot, ditto. See a pattern emerging here?
My prediction is that both TSG officers will be happilly at home on gardening leave for months, salaries paid by you and me the taxpayer, and get nothing more than a mild reprimand for covering up the ID numbers.
I have lost all faith with the police. It seems OK to them to hit people for crimes such as "walking with his hands in his pockets" or for shouting at them when they push you.
- Phil, Bristol, UK, 16/04/2009 17:45
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The great unwashed doing what they do the best, finding ingenious ways of making money without a decent days work... and who will pick up that tab, the British public...
- Carl, London, 16/04/2009 17:41
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But if no newspapers cooperate with this scam, then she wont get the money. Easy.
- Ying-Hui, london, 16/04/2009 17:32
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Sigh.....
Even if she doesn't get her payout, she'll want to maximise her 15 milleseconds of fame...what next....sexy picture shoot in a lads mag....a true sign or our times!
- Decency, London, UK, 16/04/2009 17:22
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The police seem to be very fond of cameras - hope they enjoy being on camera!
Our brave coppers look after us by beating up old men and young women, but if there's a burglary - forget it!
- Ian, London Eng, 16/04/2009 17:09
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I banged my knee against the desk at work today! Could Max sort out a £100k media deal and a couple of million compo for me?
Thanks.
- Andy, London, 16/04/2009 16:57
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So we get all these anti-capitalists, anarchists protesting. One decides to make a profit from her experience. Does she get black listed with those nut jobs now? I wonder if they'll stone her.
- Trunk, US, 16/04/2009 16:00
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The more i read about this story the more i sympathise with the policeman who is undoubtedly now having sleepless nights worrying about his and his families future.
This cretin of a woman disgusts me and is a very sad reflection society.
I just hope the policeman is returned to police duty asap cos we need more people like him than money grabbing unwashed creatures like Nicola Fisher.
What a horrible country we live in!!
- Steve, Medway,England, 16/04/2009 15:56
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What story? Sad woman on the make. Maybe she she should have thought about her actions before she fired off a mouthful of abuse at the policeman; the police had a difficult enough job to do that day anyway.Max Clifford should do the decent thing and refuse his services to this greedy, self-seeking nobody.
- Laura, Kingston UK, 16/04/2009 15:43
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It is a shame greed takes over. It just shows that anyone can be affected by this blight on our society. A good point had been made, and this woman had the moral high ground. Whilst she should sue for damages, the attempt to sell the story is quite disgusting.
It does show that the politicians are not the only ones keen to feed out of the trough!
- Steven, Kilmarnock, 16/04/2009 15:39
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People like that are the exact reason why protesters have a bad reputation unfortunately. Completely tarnishes not only the protest but also the real victims of unprovoked police brutality. Pretty hypocrite to go to a G20 rally where the general theme was against the current economic situation and then hop on board with an ambulance chasing publicist.
- Eddy, London, 16/04/2009 15:38
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Here we go - how long did it take for her to get round to 'money seeking'. Even her neighbours think she is a bit of a........................
Maybe she will give all the money, if she truly does follow the Green Peace movement, to a very worthy cause!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - but I think it could be for Miss Fisher herself - or maybe she could give it to the Policemen's Widow Fund!!!!!!!!!!
What a trick she is - she should be very careful should someone dig into her and her boyfriend's background.
Does she have a job - does her boyfriend have a job - or are they living on benefits provided "free" - by the UK Government
There were I am sure many decent people who went to object - however not to get free money....
- Liz, dallas.tx, 16/04/2009 15:37
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i wonder if the lady in question knew the the person who photographed the incident. if she gets her massive payout let her pay him or her because without thier effort it would not have been noticed in the general melee.
- John Patrick Green, nottingham, 16/04/2009 15:12
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What story is she going to sell for 50K? She has already told it. And it was boring.
- Graham, Colchester, 16/04/2009 15:06
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Ah, so that's what she was saying in the video? "Excuse me, Mr Policeman, Sir, please may I just squeeze by. By the way I love puppies and bunny-wabbits!" Funny, doesn't sound like that no matter how hard I listen!
- Paul, London, 16/04/2009 14:35
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Nobody really expected anything else did you.
- David., Chertsey.UK., 16/04/2009 14:34
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The Copper got a bit over excited I would say,-but the woman from Brighton is definitely one caramel short of a full box .
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 16/04/2009 14:31
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Yes Frank - she should have been arrested and prosecuted for public order offences - that is what the Police are there to do after all. However what should NOT have happened is that the Police Officer concerned should have behaved worse than her and responded to her torrent of abuse with a physical assault, using a weapon - and he didn't even bother to arrest her! We must expect our officers to keep the laws they purport to uphold, or it makes a mockery of the entire system. The courts exist for justice - it shouldn't be doled out by batons.
- Abi Ralls, United Kingdom, 16/04/2009 14:19
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According to her Sister she was "traumatised by the incident" - no SO traumatised that she couldn't look up Max Cliffords phone number.
- Malcolm, London, 16/04/2009 14:06
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Boo hoo, she has a bruise, lets look at the events here. Provoke and attack the police, the police defend themselves and this leftist nutter gets a pay out and a media deal; Where has common sense gone to in this country? She should face prosecution and I can only hope no one buys into this farce and shuns all attempts for publicity of this story.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London UK, 16/04/2009 13:57
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Hang on, let me get this right.
She goes on an anti-capitalist demo, then sees a way in order to make money and become a capitalist.
Odd, very odd indeed.
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey, 16/04/2009 13:56
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Maybe the policeman should counter sue her, she has openly admitted she pushed and verbally abused him.
- Carol B, London, UK, 16/04/2009 13:53
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I hope she gets nothing. She deserved what she got though and to be quite frank, I would have clubbed her in the face with the baton rather than her legs... May have helped improve her looks that's for sure! The thing that gets me, one minute people are complaining by saying that the police don't do enough...and then the next minute they're too heavy handed, blah blah blah! no one will ever be satisfied, in my opinion there should be zero tolerance. I don't even blame the officer who pushed Ian Tomlinson over, that guy was causing problems before that video was conveniently made.
- Adam, London, UK, 16/04/2009 13:39
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And of course, any compensation that she does get will go to the family of Ian Tomlinson? Anything less is blood money pure and simple, profiting from the death of an innocent man. I would be disgusted if it wasn't such a sad, sad reflection on our society and the middle class white section that believes it does not have to follow any rules but their own.
- Mikkiduk, London, UK, 16/04/2009 13:34
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I think the first thing she should purchase is a toothbrush.
- Scott, London, 16/04/2009 13:28
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What story? What more can the dirty little troublemaker from Brighton add to this? I for one am bored sick with it already. I sincerely hope that next time she and her mangy mates are out aggravating policemen that they turn the Tazers and water cannon on her. Nasty, money grubbing little cow!
- M Farbiash, Highgate, 16/04/2009 13:24
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Give her an ASBO and tell her to get on her bike.
So that's how you pay your respects to someone who's died? Abuse a policeman, knowing full well you'll create a drama in front of photographers, some I might add, were egging the crowd on. Sickening behaviour.
- Simon Caleb, London, 16/04/2009 12:44
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chantelle, is your father a policeman perchance? from my experience with police one or two out of the lot are doing a job trying to "protect us" the rest are power mad bullies who deserve to be "spat at in the street" as YOU put it.
- Daveb, london, 16/04/2009 12:40
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"Miss Fisher, who works at an animal sanctuary .."
That will be where she gets her behavioural influence from then.
"I was trying to get through and couldn't"? Hello, get through where? We've all seen the video luv'. The police were surrounded and your filthy behaviour is on video.
She should be prosecuted for public disorder offences. The evidence is clear.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 16/04/2009 12:30
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Max, when you have finished with this parasite on society, can you please assist me. I travel into and out of London 5 days a week on National Express, although I really need not say more, I am feeling tired, traumatised and frail on a weekly basis. Got to be worth 100 grand at least if we spin it right !
- Steve, London, 16/04/2009 12:30
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Litigious BS.
Who would become a cop if this woman succeeds in fleecing the state out of some cash and ruining a man's career for a temporary inconvenience i.e. a bruise, when she clearly did not retreat as the cop had repeatedly asked.
Oh and hanging's too good for Clifford.
- Madmax, London, UK, 16/04/2009 12:28
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It pretty interesting that in the pursuit of compensation she hires a publicist and not a lawyer. More comment on the influence of the court of public opinion.
In all seriousness though, bruises can be pretty nasty and I hope she get compensated. I bruised my elbow once and it pretty much ruined my life for almost a week.
- A, London, 16/04/2009 12:17
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C May, biggin hill, may I ask why you lie? This was not a riot but a pacifist demonstration about the death of a man killed by the police.
- Ian Kay, Surbiton, 16/04/2009 12:11
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This is why nothing ever changes. The police are out of control but becuse of someones greed that will be the focus.
She shouldn't have been assalted, she should have been arested and put in the back of a van. Thats the truth of it all.
- Mark, St Albans, 16/04/2009 12:10
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It sickens me that people like Miss Fisher can complain about the police forces that are PROTECTING us. If she wasn't mouthing off in a protest that PUTS THEM IN DANGER,they wouldn't feel the need to behave in this manner. She deserved everythign she got and whatever she gets - her neighbours will tolerate her even less now. I have no time for jokers like her who feel it is acceptable to treat police is this way and have absolutely no sympathy for the injuries she received. I would spit at her in the street if I saw her.
- Chantelle Bennett, Sussex, 16/04/2009 11:48
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I bruised my finger whilst working in the garden last weekend. Shall I hire Max to tell the world about it?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 16/04/2009 11:46
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Guess Max needs some new people to use to make money out of now that Jade and the lovely kerry katona are no longer "clients".....this woman has no interest in properly campaigning...she was mouthing off at the police and now wants to make money out of it..please noone be mad enough to pay £50k for this pathetic story.
- Nick, london, 16/04/2009 11:40
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hope the compo chasing loser gets bugger all.
- C May, biggin hill, 16/04/2009 11:38
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I could understand her claim if it was a peaceful protest. But this was a riot with £ Millions worth of damages. What do you expect the police to do. Stand back and let them do the hell they like. I am all for voicing your opinions but not at the expense of other law abiding citizens who have to foot the bill. As to her compensation claim !!!!? Absoultely ridiculous ! I hope she gets nothing.
- Roberto Carballeiro, Basingstoke, 16/04/2009 11:28
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I THINK THIS YOUNG LADY SET THIS WHOLE THING UP, ALONG WITH HER CAMERA CREW, SHE WAS OBNOXIOUS AND WAS SEEN TO BE PUSHING AND SHOVING,THEY ARE HOOLIGANS.
I BELIEVE, IF THE POLICE HAD JUST STOOD BACK AND LET THEM DO AS THEY WISH, THEY WOULD HAVE SET LONDON ALIGHT, SO WHAT ARE THEY SUPPOSE TO DO.
ME THINKS MAX CLIFFORD HAS BITTEN OF MORE THAN HE CAN CHEW WITH THIS ONE, THIS IS ALL FOR GREED, JADE GOODY'S GONE, IT BACK TO BUSINESS MR CLIFFORD.
- Sorraya, croydon, 16/04/2009 11:25
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The trouble is, as soon as you try to involve Max Clifford, no one takes you seriously any more.
- Marianne, SW France, 16/04/2009 11:04
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You just knew this story was going somewhere!!
Max Clifford DOES NOT work for peanuts.
Money, money, money. Greed, greed, greed.
This woman should be in prison for assaulting a police officer.
Roll on the Revolution.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 16/04/2009 10:44
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She openly admits to pushing a policeman, hmmmmmmm.
You sure you want to take this client Max?
- Not Exactly A Looney Lefty!, The real world, 16/04/2009 10:29
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You just knew the compensation thing was coming. what a media circus..... its an absolute joke. how many normal working people had to use up a days holiday out of their allowance for these protests. 50k, not bad.
- Jonny, London, 16/04/2009 10:24
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