02/08/2013

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.

The 47-year-old newspaper vendor was struck with a baton and pushed to the ground as he tried to make his way home during G20 riots in central London.

He collapsed and died a few minutes later. An inquest ruled his death was unlawful.

PC Simon Harwood, the officer who struck and pushed Mr Tomlinson, was acquitted of a manslaughter charge in relation to the death, but was subsequently sacked from the force for gross misconduct.

Mr Tomlinson's widow, Julia, and seven of his children and step-children have pursued a compensation claim, which the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in London, Stephen Greenhalgh, has now authorised.

It is understood that following negotiations between lawyers for Mr Tomlinson's family and the legal department of the Met, the Deputy was asked to agree to increase the offer, which would settle the claim.

It is this request that the deputy has given his authorisation to.

The figure has not yet been disclosed.

(MH/JP)

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