Gross Misconduct Alleged Over Protest Death

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has served gross misconduct allegations against PC Simon Harwood in relation to the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests.

Mr Tomlinson collapsed and died on his way home from work during the 2009 G20 summit protests. A first postmortem examination indicated that he had suffered a heart attack brought on by coronary artery disease, and had died of natural causes.

However his death became controversial one week later when The Guardian released footage of his last moments. The video showed Tomlinson being struck on the leg from behind by PC Simon Harwood wielding an expandable baton, then being pushed to the ground. At the time he was struck, the footage showed him walking along with his hands in his pockets. He walked away after the incident, but collapsed and died moments later.

Since the Crown Prosecution Service decision in July not to prosecute PC Harwood, the MPS has brought disciplinary proceedings in liaison with the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

In the region of 14,000 documents were reviewed as part of the preparation, with approximately 1,500 pages served this morning on PC Harwood.

Following IPCC agreement to the MPS proposed misconduct allegations, PC Harwood has now been notified that he will face a gross misconduct hearing to answer allegations that he pushed and struck Mr Tomlinson, and that such dangerous actions inadvertently caused or contributed to the death of Mr Tomlinson.

The misconduct process will determine whether the officer's conduct fell below the standards required of a police officer and to provide a suitable discipline outcome should the allegation be found proven. Should the gross misconduct allegations be proven the most serious outcome available to the panel would be dismissal without notice.

(BMcN)