27/07/2010

Disciplinary Action For G20 Death

The police officer who struck Ian Tomlinson before his death during the G20 protests last year is to face disciplinary proceedings for gross misconduct.

Ian Tomlinson, 47, died on April 1 2009 after becoming caught up in the clashes between protestors and police in the City of London during the G20 demonstration.

Pc Simon Harwood, a member of Scotland Yard's territorial support group, was filmed striking Mr Tomlinson with a baton and pushing him over.

Last week, the Director of Public Prosecutions said that the officer would not face any criminal charges, due to conflict between medical experts on the exact cause of Mr Tomlinson's death.

However, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has confirmed that the officer would face disciplinary proceedings and has told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the incident had "cast a shadow" on the professionalism of the number of staff and officers involved in policing the G20 event. He told the Committee: "I do fully understand the Tomlinson family and public sense of anger, having seen the video of the incident prior to the death of Ian Tomlinson."

Mr Tomlinson's family, who had expressed their disappointment at the Director of Public Prosecution's decision, have instructed the legal team to review the decision ahead of an inquest into his death.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

17 September 2012
Ian Tomlinson Death: PC Harwood To Face Disciplinary Hearing
PC Simon Harwood, the officer cleared of killing Ian Tomlinson at London's G20 protests three years ago, is due to face a disciplinary hearing. Harwood, 45, of south London, will face a charge of gross misconduct after he struck the newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson shortly before he died.
22 July 2010
No Charges Over G20 Death
A police officer who was filmed apparently pushing a man, who later died, to the ground at the G20 protests, has been told that he will not face any charges. Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said a failure of experts to agree on how Mr Tomlinson died meant that there could be no conviction.
09 May 2011
Evidence Withheld In Tomlinson Case
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are to investigate claims the City of London force failed to pass on key evidence in the days after the death of Ian Tomlinson. Mr Tomlinson, 47, died after he was struck by a baton by PC Simon Harwood on 1 April 2009 during the G20 London protests.
02 August 2013
Met Police Prepare To Settle With Family Of Ian Tomlinson
The Metropolitan Police have been authorised to proceed with settling a compensation agreement with the family of Ian Tomlinson, the man who died after being pushed to the ground by a police officer in 2009.
05 May 2011
Medical Body Probe Tomlinson Pathologist
The pathologist who determined Ian Tomlinson's death was a result of natural causes is being investigated. Dr Freddy Patel recorded that Mr Tomlinson died as a result of a heart attack after the G20 protest in 2009.