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Met officer may face trial over G20 death of news vendor
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent04.08.09
A police officer could face trial for manslaughter over the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests, it emerged today.
Another officer is facing possible trial on assault charges after he allegedly struck two women during the same demonstration.
Files on the alleged assaults involving the two Metropolitan Police officers were today passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Tomlinson, 47, died minutes after he was hit with a baton and pushed to the ground by an officer policing the City of London protests on 1 April.
The Territorial Support Group constable was interviewed by investigators under criminal caution on suspicion of manslaughter. Solicitors at the CPS will now consider whether he should be prosecuted.
Mr Tomlinson's widow Julia welcomed the move today. She told the Standard: “It has been a very difficult four months since Ian died and it is a relief to see some progress. The last information the coroner put out was [Home Office pathologist] Dr Cary's view that Ian died from internal bleeding.
“Video footage made it clear to us, and everyone else, that Ian was the victim of an unprovoked assault by a police officer. If there is going to be any justice then it must be left for a jury to decide if the police officer is guilty of killing Ian.
“I hope the CPS will get the case in front of a jury as soon as possible. We would like to thank everyone who came forward as witnesses.”
Dr Nathaniel Cary performed the second post-mortem examination after the initial one found Mr Tomlinson, who clashed with police as he tried to walk home, had died of a heart attack.
An amateur video emerged several days later which showed Mr Tomlinson being struck and pushed to the ground as a line of officers followed him down a street.
Files of evidence on two other alleged assaults by police officers have also been passed to the CPS.
The first focused on an incident in which protester Nicola Fisher was allegedly hit with a baton and slapped by a TSG sergeant on 2 April during a vigil for Mr Tomlinson outside the Bank of England. The incident was recorded by an amateur cameraman.
The second inquiry followed an allegation that another woman was assaulted by the same officer while being held in an alley connecting Bishopsgate and Great St Helens.
The TSG sergeant was interviewed in connection with causing actual bodily harm and a common assault.
All the inquiries have been carried out by investigators from the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The policing of the protests at the G20 summit aroused major criticism of the tactics used.
In particular officers were criticised for holding protesters against their will with a tactic known as “kettling”.
Later it also emerged that the constable involved in the alleged assault on Mr Tomlinson should not have been in the force. He had retired from the Metropolitan Police with an unresolved disciplinary charge but vetting blunders allowed him to return.
Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, said: “Our investigators have worked tirelessly to complete this large and complex investigation as quickly and efficiently as possible and we will now wait for the CPS's decision as to whether a prosecution will be brought.
“We have had a remarkable response from the public and I would like to thank those people who have contacted us for all their help.
“Much of the video evidence we have passed to the CPS was collected by members of the public on cameras or mobile phones.”
Investigators examined about 1,200 hours of video footage.
Reader views (8)
And quite righly too.
- Tynes, oxford uk
Oh London Eye, so I should be killed while exercising my right to complain about having my taxes paid to shysters and greedy ******** like politicians (you think Camrons lot will be differentm ha ha)and bankers, is that what you mean, loser
- Pam, london
great news!
- Pam, london
I think a little clarification is required here.
The CPS have been sent the file for consideration only because legislation requires they MUST be sent the file for consideration. It's not an option and should in no way be taken as an indication of the officers presumed guilt by IPCC investigators.
I appreciate why the family might be expressing hope/concern/anger etc. but the rest of us should accept that this development is nothing more than standard practice. What happens next is what's important.
- Hadrian, London
Andre - The point is that a perpetrator of a crime should be named, charged and face a possibly guilty conviction in a court of law, and in a fair trial. Money and politibs should have no part in it. The police have rules that their officres must do their best to obey
- Keith Price, Luton, England
I expect more from the police and when they do wrong they should feel the full clout of the law. Confidence in the service is at a very low point and cases like this can swing public feelings. Give them have a day in court and many will see this as rightful justice for Ian Tomlinson's death which should be the most important consideration. Let a jury decide not bureaucrats
- Gary, Brentwood
how about those losers that caused trouble etc
are these being prosecuted? NO of course not - idiots are alowed to cause trouble and break thousands of tax payers but nothign is done about it
it is a shame what is happening to this country - thanks Grodon Brown & Co excellent managerial skills - cant wait for the next election
- London Eye, London
EDITED by admin @ 15.13 on August 4 2009
Court Proceedings
- Andre, london
