Man kicked by officer at Manchester Airport has 'cyst on the brain'
His lawyer says he also has a brother who works for GMP
Last updated 25th Jul 2024
There has been a call for calm after a police officer was suspended following a video which appeared to show a man being kicked as he lay face down on the floor.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer was suspended on Thursday after the video was shared widely on social media and prompted protesters to gather outside Rochdale police station late on Wednesday night.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who met with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the incident on Thursday, asked for calm, saying the "right and proper steps" had been taken.
The footage, filmed at Manchester Airport's terminal two on Tuesday, appeared to show an officer kick and stamp on the head of a man who was lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
The video also appeared to show the officer strike a second man.
Police said three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female Police Constable who suffered a broken nose, and four men were arrested.
Speaking to media outside Rochdale police station on Thursday, solicitor Akhmed Yakoob said two of the men involved were members of a serving GMP officer's family.
"The family are okay but they are traumatised."
He said the condition of one of the men had worsened and said a CT scan revealed a "cyst on his brain".
He added: "The main concern for us, for me, is that the family receive justice and this no longer happens again."
The regional director of police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Catherine Bates, promised a "thorough and robust" independent investigation into the incident and said body-worn video and CCTV footage had been secured.
After meeting with the force and Mr Burnham on Thursday, the Home Secretary welcomed the investigation and said: "I share the deep concern surrounding the video and understand the widespread distress it will have caused."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said he had seen the video and said: "I understand that concern."
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said he was due to meet with the family on Thursday.
Crowds, reportedly of about 200 people, gathered outside Rochdale police station late on Wednesday, some chanting "GMP shame on you".
Some protesters let off fireworks outside the police station and one told the crowd: "We're no longer going to settle for this police brutality."
The force said the demonstration concluded "without incident".
GMP has said officers at the airport were responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of an emergency worker, affray and obstructing police and two were held on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker, police said.
In a statement on Thursday morning, a force 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 Rochdale Council of Mosques says it's been inundated with calls of concern:
"No doubt we will have all seen the shocking footage of what on the face of it appears an abuse of authority and use of Force by a Greater Manchester Police Officer, on a person in a submissive and non-confrontational position.
"The footage has caused outrage, anger and despair in an institution that is there to protect the public, keep the peace and police without prejudice. Rochdale Council of Mosques will continue to work with the community, through engagement and support. We will challenge all inappropriate, criminal inequality and hold those accountable.
"It is the responsibility of our statutory authorities to build trust and confidence. The police service is built on the premises of policing by consent. It is imperative the independent investigation is conducted with urgency, transparency and with the confidence and trust of the wider community.
"We will demand all agencies back this approach. Rochdale Council of Mosques stresses the importance of all public service providers identify and address the wider implications of this incident; to ensure we all work to building a more cohesive and environment in which the community has trust and confidence in those who are there to protect.
"We are currently in discussion with the Divisional Commander at Rochdale, working on a plan to move forward locally. Like many other organisations we have also made our view clear to GMP and the Mayors office, who we await a response from.
"RCM is in the process of arranging a forum with the Divisional Commander to directly provide reassurance to the community. We are also part of their Gold Command meeting at Headquarters.
"Rochdale Council of Mosques and your Mosques will provide support for anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly with the incident and its aftermath. You can contact us directly through the below email or speak with your local Imams at any time, and will make time particularly after Jummah prayers."