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I blame police, says widow of G20 victim
Kiran Randhawa and Felix Allen30 Jun 2009
The widow of G20 protest victim Ian Tomlinson today broke her silence to blame officers for his death.
Julia Tomlinson voiced anger and “upset” at a review published by MPs into the controversial demonstrations, saying it was not nearly as damning as it should be.
The 47-year-old newspaper seller collapsed and died after being struck with a baton and pushed to the ground by a policeman in riot gear near the Bank of England on 1 April.
Mrs Tomlinson, 52, said her husband had been confronted at least three times by police who would not let him through as he tried to walk home through the City.
“Ian was trying to leave the area and got stopped at no less than three police blocks before he was stopped by the line of police officers coming down Royal Exchange,” she said.
“Had officers allowed him out of the area on any of those occasions he would not be dead now.”
A report by members of the Home Affairs Committee, released yesterday, concluded police chiefs must rethink the controversial tactic of “kettling” at mass demonstrations — holding people in one place for long periods. It also said peaceful protesters should be allowed to leave.
An officer from the Metropolitan Police's Territorial Support Group was suspended after footage emerged of Mr Tomlinson being struck. Officials are also looking at video evidence of protester Nicola Fisher being slapped by a sergeant with the TSG at a vigil for Mr Tomlinson. Both incidents are being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
But Mrs Tomlinson, from the Isle of Dogs, said: “I feel very upset by the report. It seems to say that if there was any violence at the protest it is was because officers were untrained, inexperienced and frightened. This is not what I see when I see the video footage of Ian or Nicola Fisher.
“The report seems to be all about how the police need to look after their image. It says officers need to watch how they behave because they are being filmed. It should be their behaviour rather than the camera that is the issue.” Another investigation has been launched by the IPCC into a press statement by Scotland Yard after Mr Tomlinson's death which did not mention that he had any contact with police.
Mrs Tomlinson's comments came as solicitors for protesters caught up in clashes at the G20 demonstrations launched a legal challenge today.
Reader views (6)
Why was the G20 heldin London at all? The authorities are very quick to ban demos, such as reading out the Iraq War Dead, and must have known the problems that would arise.
- Ayylyn, Orihuela Costa, 30/06/2009 17:50
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He died of internal bleeding according to reports. That after a relatively simple shove from a policeman. Surely being an alcoholic - which has been reported as well, has more to do with that than being pushed over? In which case how on earth is that the fault of the police? Secondly, after being told many times to move, in a crowd situation what other option do the police have other than to push people. You can't argue with several thousand people individually.
- S Stander, London, 30/06/2009 17:23
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Rogan,
Where is this ample evidence? Can you produce it?
Even if he was protesting (although that may very well not be the case) did he deserve to die? Was there not a duty of care by the police towards him?
I think if it was my father I would be after the highest charges possible against the offending officers.
Wouldn't you?
- Mark, St Albans, 30/06/2009 16:54
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Paul, Ealing - there is ample evidence that the man was actively involved in the demonstrations. He was NOT just walking home. To suggest otherwise is just smoke and mirrors for people who want to milk the event for all it is worth.
If you want to dig at the police, try choosing something they did wrong instead of making more out of this otherwise unfortunate death than it merits.
- Rogan, Irving, 30/06/2009 16:16
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Mr Diggler - in this free country we live in people are allowed to leave work and head home, the labour government haven't yet consigned us to work houses, though I have no doubt that they would like to.
- Paul, Ealing, 30/06/2009 15:40
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That is one side of a story by people who were not there. I read reports that he was involved in the violent demonstrations and provoked and charged at the police multple times. It really baffles me why so many people get so worked up over the G20 summit. One would have to respond to their claims that maybe if he was not there, and at work maybe he eould be alive today?
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 30/06/2009 13:55
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