Police officer suspended after footage shows suspect being kicked in the head at Manchester Airport

A police officer has been suspended after footage posted on social media showed a suspect being kicked and trampled on in the head at Manchester Airport.

Read the latest: Man who was kicked is related to GMP officer

The suspect was identified as Fahir in an Instagram video in which he can be seen together with his lawyer Akhmed Yakoob.

The lawyer is also representing a second man arrested in the incident at Manchester Airport, whose name is Amaad.

Mr Yakoob, who is the only person speaking in the video, does not confirm whether Fahir and Amaad are brothers, but says they will file an official report with Rochdale police accusing them of attacking her and “her elderly mother”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had responded to reports of an attack at Terminal 2 at 8.25pm ​​on Tuesday before the footage of the police officer trampling on Fahir was captured.

Police said three officers were injured in a subsequent altercation and that there was a “clear risk” that firearms would be taken from armed officers.

In a statement following the suspension of an officer in connection with the video this morning, GMP said: “Following a thorough review of further information which 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.”

“The case has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for a full, independent investigation.

“We understand the deep concerns that have been widely communicated to us and will continue to meet and discuss those feelings with the people of Greater Manchester and elected representatives throughout this independent investigation.”

The IOPC confirmed that it has launched an investigation into the violence used by a police officer in connection with the video.

GMP previously said it understood the “great sense of concern and worry that people feel” after the footage has surfaced.

An estimated 200 protesters gathered outside Rochdale Police Station on Wednesday evening, with some shouting “GMP, shame on you!”

Police said the protest ended “without incident.”

Mr Yakoob said in the video, which he shared on his Instagram account this morning: “I am here with Fahir and Amaad. They were released from Cheadle police station not long ago. They then had to go to the hospital themselves. However, since they had head injuries, it was the police’s duty to take them to hospital.

“But they found their way anyway and now I have documented their injuries and we are on our way to Rochdale Police Station to make a formal report of assault against the police officers who attacked both Fahir and Amaad as well as their elderly mother who was only there as a passer-by.”

Paul Waugh, Labour and Co-Operative MP for Rochdale, said Fahir was from the town.

He added that he spoke to the man’s family last night and plans to meet them in person today.

Mr Waugh posted on X this morning: ‘The footage of a Greater Manchester Police officer punching and trampling on a man at Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.

“Like many others who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned… I have raised my concerns directly with the Deputy Chief Constable this evening and have spoken to Kate Green, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing.

“It is right that the police officer in question has been relieved of his duties and this incident has been referred to the independent police department. I expect a thorough and speedy investigation.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understood the “concern” about the footage and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would meet with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to discuss the matter.

Ms Cooper later issued a statement saying she shared the “deep concern” about the video and welcomed the IOPC’s decision to launch an investigation.

The video shows a police officer with a taser in his hand appearing to kick and then stomp on Fahir’s head while he lies face down on the ground and a woman kneels next to him.

Later, Amaad is kicked in the thigh by the officer.

According to GMP, officers arrived at the airport’s Terminal 2 to arrest a man on suspicion of assault.

They said one female police officer later suffered a broken nose, while two other officers were pushed to the ground and suffered injuries that required hospital treatment.

GMP added that four men were arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency services staff.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said on BBC radio this morning that he had seen video of the incident but no footage from body-worn cameras.

Mr Burnham added that the situation was “not clear-cut” and “there are problems for both sides”.

However, he added that suspending the officer was the right thing to do: “That is perfectly clear to me.”

He said the footage was “disturbing” and that “the right procedures must be in place to ensure that everyone can have confidence in what follows.”

Appealing for calm, Mr Burnham added: “We do these things the right way here, we never turn away from difficult things, we don’t look away, we do it carefully, we do it right and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”