Incident at Manchester Airport – Latest news: Police officer who kicked a man in the video is under investigation

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has reiterated his call for calm following two nights of protests over the incident at Manchester Airport.

Mr Burnham said the situation was a “complicated matter” and that people should not “jump to conclusions”. He added that the investigation into the incident was continuing and that there should be no “doubt” about what happened.

He said the city does not want people to “exploit” the situation to advance their own political interests or agendas.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester gives a press conference with the latest information on the incidents at the city’s airport.

A Greater Manchester Police officer is being investigated for assault after video emerged showing a man lying on the ground at Manchester Airport being kicked and stamped on.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also informed the police officer that he was being investigated for possible gross misconduct following a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including the use of force.

The regulator had previously said it had received a second tip-off from Greater Manchester Police, the first concerning the use of force against a man arrested on the ground and the second the use of Pava spray by the same officers against another man at the airport.

Catherine Bates, regional director of the IOPC, said: “We can confirm that we are conducting a criminal investigation into the use of violence during the events of 23 July at Manchester Airport. We are arranging the interview of a police officer under criminal supervision as soon as possible.

“I have met with one of the men involved and his family today to explain our investigation. We will keep them and Greater Manchester Police updated on the progress of our investigation. We will speak to the man involved in the second incident as soon as possible.

“The family has asked me to reiterate their call for peace and would like to stress that they will not tolerate any acts of violence as a result of this incident.

“We are meeting with a number of community leaders in Rochdale this afternoon to listen to their concerns and explain our role.

“Our investigation continues to gather relevant evidence and will follow a number of investigative strands. We will provide further updates as soon as we are able.”

A police officer was filmed kicking a man in the head at Manchester Airport, and in another incident he sprayed another man with pepper spray and wrestled him to the ground.

The police officer was filmed trampling on a suspect lying face down on the ground in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday.

In the ensuing furore, the officer was suspended from Greater Manchester Police and the case has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is to conduct a full, independent investigation.

On the second night, protests broke out over the man who was kicked and punched by a police officer at Manchester Airport.

In Manchester city centre, streets and tram lines were blocked on Thursday evening by people angry about the incident, which led to the suspension of a Greater Manchester Police officer.

The man’s family was particularly shocked by the incident because some of their family members were police officers, said newly elected Labour MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh, after speaking to them.

The family at the centre of the Manchester Airport controversy is “traumatised”, their MP said.

Paul Waugh, the Labour MP for Rochdale, met the family after video footage appeared to show a man being kicked to the ground by a Greater Manchester Police officer in Terminal 2.

Mr Waugh told BBC Breakfast on Friday (26 July): “It is clear from speaking to them that they are traumatised. Many people have seen the video clip and are shocked by it.”

“The police themselves said it was a disturbing clip, but imagine if that was your brother or your son in that clip. You can imagine how disturbed they are.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is currently investigating.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet both the Home Secretary and the Regional Director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).”

“It was agreed that the IOPC investigation currently underway will be conducted as expeditiously as possible, involve community stakeholders and be truly independent.

“The exact rules will be determined by the IOPC.

“I hope that this will give people reassurance that all the right steps are being taken, that all relevant aspects are being fully considered and that it will give them confidence in the way the process continues.”

The Labour MP from Rochdale warned that “extremists” could try to exploit the situation at Manchester Airport.

Footage taken at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday shows a police officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man who was lying face down on the ground with a woman kneeling next to him.

Commenting on the incident, Paul Waugh said: “Extremists of all kinds will try to exploit this and use it for their own ends and that is the last thing this city needs.”

“My job is to ensure that the wishes of this family, who have reacted to the matter with great dignity, are fulfilled. That means that calm prevails, but also that justice prevails.”

When asked what he expected to happen next, Mr Waugh said: “I really hope that the protests, if there are any, will be peaceful but that the family’s wishes will be respected.”

“People should listen to them. At the end of the day, they are the people who are at the centre of things and they are the people who are saying, ‘Look, let’s just go ahead and follow the independent process now, please.’

“That’s our focus, as well as making sure they get the right medical help for their family members.”

A spokesman for the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Federation said they had noted the decision to suspend the officer involved in the incident at Manchester Airport.

He said: “The case is currently under investigation. Everyone has the right to a fair hearing where all sides of the story are told and the context is explained.”

“As a staff association, we support the officer concerned and all our colleagues who were involved in this incident, including those who were injured.

“We would also like to thank the many citizens who have contacted us and offered support to our hard-working colleagues in their difficult and dangerous work. We appreciate that.”