Manchester Airport police video sparks protests at mayor’s office – latest

Three police officers were seemingly outnumbered by the hundreds of activists chanting “Shame on you” at them in St Peter’s Square.

Dozens of officers were also seen getting out of riot vans further away from the main protest as they observe proceedings from a distance.

Akhmed Yakoob has hit back at Lee Anderson’s comments on the Manchester Airport video.

In response to the footage, Mr Anderson, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives earlier this year, said: “We need to back our police officers”.

“The message I’m getting loud and clear from my constituents is that they are fed up with seeing police dancing around rainbows and being nice to people.

“They want the police to do their job. I think these police yesterday should be commended. In fact, I’d give them a medal.”

Mr Yakoob fired back later on Thursday: “Lee Anderson what if this was your son lying there defenceless? Would you give the police officer a medal for being so barbaric and stamping on his head like that? No you wouldn’t. This is against civilisation here.”

A man claiming to be the uncle of one of the victims thanked the crowds for turning up to the protest.

He said that what happened to his nephew was “absolutely shocking”.

Through a loudspeaker, he said: “It could be your mother, ladies and gentleman once again a massive thank you on behalf of the family from Rochdale”.

Activists were spotted having a sit-in protest on the tram tracks in St Peter’s Square.

They chanted “No justice, no peace, No racist police” and banged drums bringing the tram network to a temporary halt during rush hour.

Commuters were eventually let out of the halted carriage to find an alternative way home.

Akhmed Yakoob, who has been representing the two injured men, has released a new video welcoming the IOPC investigation into the arrest.

He urged activists to have “a little bit of patience” as protests marched through Manchester city centre.

Demonstrators could be heard chanting “Whose streets? Our streets!” and holding up Black Lives Matter signs as they began to march to St Peter’s Square.

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We understand the widespread shock and concern that a video circulated on social media following the arrest of men by Greater Manchester Police at Manchester Airport has caused.

“We are grateful to those who have already been in touch with us and we have now set up a reporting line so that people who may have witnessed or filmed the incident can contact us. This will help as we build up a detailed picture of what happened on the day.”

“We have also received a further referral from Greater Manchester Police in relation to the incident which took place on Tuesday 23 July. The first, received earlier today concerned the use of force by an officer on a man who was detained on the ground. The second relates to the same officer’s use of PAVA spray on another man at the airport.

“We have met with members of the first man’s family today, some of whom were present during the incident, to explain our role and to listen to their concerns. We will keep them updated as our investigation continues.

“We will ensure a robust investigation, independent of police, is carried out to investigate the circumstances that led up to and during the incident at Terminal 2. We know many people have serious questions about what happened and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.”

IOPC investigators have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis.

Protesters have gathered outside mayor Andy Burnham’s office organised by Stand Up To Racism Manchester.

Around 100 people began chanting ‘No Justice, No Peace’ at the location close to Temple bar where speeches are expected to be held.

It came as a lawyer representing 19 year-old Mohammed Fahir, who was kicked in the video captured at Manchester Airport, has asked people to “pray for his wellbeing.”

Akhmed Yakoob said his client’s condition had worsened and doctors were dealing with a “cyst on the brain.”

In a statement, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham 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.”