Video of the kick at Manchester Airport: Criminal investigation is underway against the PC

A police officer is being investigated for assault following an attack in which a man was kicked and stamped on at Manchester Airport, the police watchdog said.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it would arrange an interview with the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer under disciplinary action “as soon as possible” over Tuesday’s alleged attack.

The officer was suspended from the police force on Thursday after footage of a confrontation between police and two men in Terminal 2 was widely shared on social media.

Catherine Bates of the IOPC said she had met “one of the men involved and his family members” and would speak to the other man as soon as possible.

She said investigators were continuing to gather evidence and had already secured “a significant amount of body-worn video and surveillance footage.”

The IOPC said the PC’s use of a stun spray during the incident would form part of the criminal investigation.

It said that the officer had also been served with a disciplinary notice for “potential gross incapacity for duty due to a series of alleged violations of police professional standards, including the use of force.”

A representative said that “delivery of notices” does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will be filed.

“At the end of our investigation, we will decide whether to refer the case to the public prosecutor for charges and whether to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officer,” they added.

The footage shared online shows a police officer kicking and trampling a man while he lay face down on the ground.

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police said armed officers were “violently attacked” in a car park while attempting to make an arrest at around 8.30pm (BST).

Police said three officers were taken to hospital, one of whom suffered a broken nose.

Four men aged 19, 25, 28 and 31 were arrested on suspicion of assault and affray and have since been released on bail.

Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob, who said Muhammad Fahir Amaaz was the man who was kicked, had previously stated that Mr Amaaz’s condition worsened on Wednesday evening and a CT scan revealed that he had “a cyst on his brain”.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Yakoob said he was representing both Mr Amaaz and his brother Amaad, who was also involved in the incident.

He said the brothers, from Rochdale, and their extended family, which includes a serving GMP officer, were “traumatised”, adding that the “aftermath” of what happened was “immediately difficult to assess”.

Following the incident, numerous peaceful protests took place.

On Wednesday, crowds gathered outside Rochdale police station chanting “shame on you”, while on Thursday, streets and tram lines in Manchester city centre were blocked by protesters.

Ms Bates said the family had asked her to “reiterate their call for peace” and wanted to “stress that they do not condone 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,” she added.

In a statement, GMP chief executive Stephen Watson said it was “a matter of deep regret” that the incident had “caused shock and upset in some of our communities”.

He said senior officials had met with “community leaders to ensure their voices are heard and that will continue to be the case,” adding: “We agree with the best instincts of those calling for calm.”

He also said the force was “determined to provide the IOPC with the greatest possible practical support.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said there was an “overwhelming” feeling in the region that it was necessary to “look forward” after an “intense and difficult week”.

At a press conference, he said the people of Greater Manchester wanted a “fair, rigorous and speedy” process with “community input”.