New details on violent events leading to cop kicking man in head at Manchester Airport as ‘mob rule’ protesters slammed
FRESH details of the violent events which led to an officer kicking a man in the head have emerged.
Chaos broke out at Manchester Airport on Tuesday after 19-year-old Mohammed Fahir had his head stamped on by cops in shocking footage, sparking "mob rule" protests.
Streets in Manchester have been lined with activists after the video was released - forcing Mayor Andy Burnham to call for calm.
Lord Walney, the Government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, warned protesters wanting to exploit the brutality to let the investigation take its course.
Teen Fahir and brother Amaad were trying to defend their mum after another man rammed a luggage trolley into her, a source close to the family claimed.
The insider alleged the mother was involved in an altercation with a male passenger while flying from Pakistan to Manchester on Tuesday evening.
READ MORE ON THE INCIDENT
Once on the ground, the same man pushed the mum with his trolley and made racist remarks as she collected her luggage at Terminal 2, it is claimed.
After meeting up with sons Fahir and Amaad, she pointed out who she had argued with, it is said.
The pair are then claimed to have confronted the man - which turned into a physical altercation.
Greater Manchester Police were then called to the airport and tracked the family through cameras before stopping them near the ticket machines moments before disturbing scenes unravelled.
Footage shows Fahir lying on the ground and Amaad sat on a chair in the background with his hands on his head.
An older woman is noticeably kneeling over Fahir as two cops point their tasers in his direction.
Police say three officers were attacked prior to this, including a female PC who suffered a broken nose, when they were "punched to the ground".
Police bodycam footage has not yet been released.
Timeline of events leading up to disturbing video
VIDEO of a cop appearing to kick a 19-year-old in the face before stamping on his head has led to unrest on the streets of Manchester.
The disturbing footage was captured at Manchester Airport on Tuesday - forcing GMP to suspend an officer and refer themselves to police watchdog IOPC.
According to a source close to the teen's family, this is what happened in the run-up to the shocking scenes which have since gone viral.
- Fahir and Amaad's mum was allegedly involved in an altercation with a man on her flight from Pakistan to Manchester
- Once the plane had landed, the same man then rammed the mum with a luggage trolley, it is claimed
- He is also said to have then hurled racist remarks at her while she waited for her suitcases at Terminal 2
- The elderly mother met up with her two sons, Fahir and Amaad, who she pointed out the man to, it is said
- The pair are then said to have confronted him - which turned into a physical altercation
- Greater Manchester Police were then called to the airport where they are understood to have met Fahir, Amaad and their mum by ticket machines
- Police say three officers were attacked, including a female PC who suffered a broken nose, when they were "punched to the ground"
- Fahir is then thought to have been put on the floor where he was kicked and stamped on
- Footage also reportedly shows the same cop use PAVA spray (similar to pepper spray)
- Fahir and his brother are then hauled away
- The family source also alleged that the mum was struck in the face by an officer - but this has not been independently verified.
Fahir's lawyer has since claimed the teenager "has a cyst on his brain" following the altercation.
Lawyer Akhmed Yakoob said: "A CT scan has revealed a cyst on his brain, so please pray for his wellbeing.
"Right now the main concern for us is that the family receives justice and this no longer happens again."
A police officer has been suspended from all duties following a “thorough review of further information”, GMP confirmed.
The force also said it has referred itself to the IOPC police watchdog - which has confirmed it is also looking into the same officer reportedly using his PAVA, which is similar to pepper spray.
GMP told The Sun they would not be commenting further on the matter while under investigation.
People cannot threaten mob rule if they don't get their own way
Lord Walney
Protests erupted on Wednesday night with hundreds gathering outside Rochdale police station, around 25 miles from the airport, chanting "shame on you".
“But it was also alarming to see a gang gathering outside Rochdale police station in response and senior figures warning of unrest unless their demands are met.
“Justice must be served in this case but people cannot demand due process in one breath then subvert it by threatening mob rule if they don’t get their way.”
Scenes of unrest in the city came after Mayor Andy Burnham insisted: "It's not a clear cut situation".
And on Thursday night, around 200 people swarmed outside the mayor's office on Oxford Road - taking their rally through the town centre in their second night of demonstrations.
Some also staged a sit-in demonstration on tram tracks leaving the public transport vehicles stranded.
Mr Burnham last night said: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet with both the Home Secretary and the regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“It was agreed that the IOPC investigation now under way will be carried out as swiftly as possible, will involve community stakeholders and will be truly independent.
“The precise arrangements will be set out by the IOPC.
“I hope this provides further reassurance to people that all the right steps are being taken, that all relevant issues will be fully considered and gives people confidence in the process as it moves forward.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh added: "Extremists of all kinds are going to try and exploit this and hijack it for their own ends and that is the last thing this town needs.
“So, it’s my job to make sure that that family, who have been quite dignified in their response to this, get their wishes, which is to see calm prevail, but also for justice to prevail.”
TWO IOPC REFERRALS
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is “extremely important” that an investigation into the footage is able to happen “swiftly” and “thoroughly”, as she expressed “deep concern” over the incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he understands the “concern” over the footage and the Home Secretary is meeting Mr Burnham to discuss the video.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.
"We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.
"We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern.
"We have also received a further referral from Greater Manchester Police in relation to the incident.
"The second relates to the same officer’s use of PAVA spray on another man at the airport.
"It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.
"Our enquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.
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"We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.
“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”