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{{Current|date=April 2009}} {{Current|date=April 2009}}
{{For3|Ian Tomlinson|Australian athlete|athlete}} {{For3|Ian Tomlinson|Australian athlete|athlete}}
], where he collapsed and died moments later. Jackson said, "He looked dazed and his eyes were glazed. He was walking really slowly."<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/>]] ], where he collapsed and died moments later. Jackson said, "He looked dazed and his eyes were glazed. He was walking really slowly."<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/>]]
'''Ian Tomlinson''' (1961/62 &ndash; 1 April 2009) was a British newspaper vendor who died in the ], London's financial district, during the ] on his way home from work. A first ] indicated that he had had a heart attack and died of natural causes.<ref name=GuardianApril8staff>, ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref> '''Ian Tomlinson''' (1961/62 &ndash; 1 April, 2009) was a British newspaper vendor who died in the ], London's financial district, during the ] on his way home from work. A first ] indicated that he had had a heart attack and died of natural causes.<ref name=GuardianApril8staff>, ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref>


His death became controversial a week later when '']'' obtained footage, taken by an investment fund manager from New York, showing that Tomlinson, who was not a protester, had been struck on the leg from behind by a police officer wielding a baton, then pushed to the ground by the same officer. The footage shows no provocation on Tomlinson's part, who at the time was walking along with his hands in his pockets.<ref name=LewisvideoApril7>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 7 April 2009.</ref> His death became controversial a week later when '']'' obtained footage, taken by an investment fund manager from New York, showing that Tomlinson, who was not a protester, had been struck on the leg from behind by a police officer wielding a baton, then pushed to the ground by the same officer. The footage shows no provocation on Tomlinson's part, who at the time was walking along with his hands in his pockets.<ref name=LewisvideoApril7>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 7 April, 2009.</ref>


A second postmortem has been conducted, ordered jointly by the ] (IPCC) and Tomlinson's family, and a criminal inquiry has begun, from which the police have been removed. The IPCC has appointed its own investigators to examine whether the police assaulted Tomlinson, and whether that assault caused his death.<ref name=DoddApril8>Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref> A second postmortem has been conducted, ordered jointly by the ] (IPCC) and Tomlinson's family, and a criminal inquiry has begun, from which the police have been removed. The IPCC has appointed its own investigators to examine whether the police assaulted Tomlinson, and whether that assault caused his death.<ref name=DoddApril8>Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref>


The incident &mdash; which is being called "Britain's ] moment"<ref name=Margaronis>Margaronis, Maria. , ''The Nation'', 12 April 2009.</ref> &mdash; has highlighted a number of issues in the UK, particularly what appears to be a deteriorating relationship between the police and the public, and questions over the extent to which the IPCC is truly independent of the police. It has also sparked widespread debate about the role of citizens in monitoring police and government activities.<ref>Riddoch, Lesley. ''The Scotsman'', 13 April 2009.</ref> The incident &mdash; which is being called "Britain's ] moment"<ref name=Margaronis>Margaronis, Maria. , ''The Nation'', April 12, 2009.</ref> &mdash; has highlighted a number of issues in the UK, particularly what appears to be a deteriorating relationship between the police and the public, and questions over the extent to which the IPCC is truly independent of the police. It has also sparked widespread debate about the role of citizens in monitoring police and government activities.<ref>Riddoch, Lesley. ''The Scotsman'', 13 April, 2009.</ref>


==Background== ==Background==
===Ian Tomlinson=== ===Ian Tomlinson===
Tomlinson was born to Jim and Ann Tomlinson, and was raised in ]. His father told reporters that another son of his, Stephen, died after a heart attack in 2008, at the age of 46. Tomlinson moved to London when he was 17 to work as a scaffolder or roofer in the ]. At the time of his death, he was working casually as an '']'' newspaper vendor.<ref name=BoothApril8>Booth, Robert. , ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref><ref name=SwaineApril10>Swaine, Jon. , ''The Daily Telegraph'', 10 April 2009.</ref><ref name=MailApril9>, ''Daily Mail'', 9 April 2009.</ref> Tomlinson was born to Jim and Ann Tomlinson, and was raised in ]. His father told reporters that another son of his, Stephen, died after a heart attack in 2008, at the age of 46. Tomlinson moved to London when he was 17 to work as a scaffolder or roofer in the ]. At the time of his death, he was working casually as an '']'' newspaper vendor.<ref name=BoothApril8>Booth, Robert. , ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref><ref name=SwaineApril10>Swaine, Jon. , ''The Daily Telegraph'', April 10, 2009.</ref><ref name=MailApril9>, ''Daily Mail'', April 9, 2009.</ref>


Known as "Tommo" to his friends, he was married with nine children &mdash; five girls and four boys &mdash; aged between 15 and 32, four from his marriage to Julia Tomlinson, and five from his wife's previous marriage. He and his wife had been living separately for 13 years, reportedly as a result of his problems with alcohol. He was living in the Lindsey Hotel, a hostel described as a shelter for the homeless, on Lindsey Street, EC1, near the ], where he had been staying since October 2008. Before that, he had experienced long periods of homelessness.<ref name=BoothApril8/><ref name=MailApril9/> Known as "Tommo" to his friends, he was married with nine children &mdash; five girls and four boys &mdash; aged between 15 and 32, four from his marriage to Julia Tomlinson, and five from his wife's previous marriage. He and his wife had been living separately for 13 years, reportedly as a result of his problems with alcohol. He was living in the Lindsey Hotel, a hostel described as a shelter for the homeless, on Lindsey Street, EC1, near the ], where he had been staying since October 2008. Before that, he had experienced long periods of homelessness.<ref name=BoothApril8/><ref name=MailApril9/>
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===Metropolitan and City of London police=== ===Metropolitan and City of London police===
{{main|Metropolitan Police Service|City of London Police|Territorial Support Group}} {{main|Metropolitan Police Service|City of London Police|Territorial Support Group}}
] ]
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS or the Met), the largest police force in the UK, is responsible for policing ]. The Met is also known as "Scotland Yard" after the location of its original headquarters.<ref>Howe, Ronald. ''The Rise of Scotland Yard'', 1965.</ref> The current commissioner is ]. The only area of Greater London the Met is not responsible for is the financial district, the ], which is the responsibility of the ], the smallest police force in England and Wales. Its current commissioner is Mike Bowron. When the Met is involved in policing the City &mdash; during incidents such as the G-20 summit protests &mdash; it operates under the nominal authority of the City of London Police.{{Fact|April 2009|date=April 2009}} Responsibility for supervising the Met falls to the ], chaired by ], currently ]. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS or the Met), the largest police force in the UK, is responsible for policing ]. The Met is also known as "Scotland Yard" after the location of its original headquarters.<ref>Howe, Ronald. ''The Rise of Scotland Yard'', 1965.</ref> The current commissioner is ]. The only area of Greater London the Met is not responsible for is the financial district, the ], which is the responsibility of the ], the smallest police force in England and Wales. Its current commissioner is Mike Bowron. When the Met is involved in policing the City &mdash; during incidents such as the G-20 summit protests &mdash; it operates under the nominal authority of the City of London Police.{{Fact|April 2009|date=April 2009}} Responsibility for supervising the Met falls to the ], chaired by ], currently ].


The officer seen pushing Tomlinson on ''The Guardian's'' video is a police constable with the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG or CO20). They can be identified by the "U" on their ], and are reportedly known as the "tough guys and gals" of the Met, specialising in the policing of public disorder. The ''Daily Telegraph'' writes that officers wear so-called "NATO" helmets, flame-retardant overalls, stab vests, gloves, balaclavas, and boots, and carry batons, ], and handcuffs. They are also authorised to use ]s. Specially trained officers sometimes carry handguns or ]s,<ref name=SwaineApril9>Swaine, Jon. , 9 April 2009.</ref><ref name=waldren>Waldren, Michael J. ''The Police Use of Firearms since 1945''. Sutton, 2007, p. 224.</ref> whereas most police officers in Britain are unarmed. The operational commander of the TSG as of 9 March 2009 is Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson. The officer seen pushing Tomlinson on ''The Guardian's'' video is a police constable with the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG or CO20). They can be identified by the "U" on their ], and are reportedly known as the "tough guys and gals" of the Met, specialising in the policing of public disorder. The ''Daily Telegraph'' writes that officers wear so-called "NATO" helmets, flame-retardant overalls, stab vests, gloves, balaclavas, and boots, and carry batons, ], and handcuffs. They are also authorised to use ]s. Specially trained officers sometimes carry handguns or ]s,<ref name=SwaineApril9>Swaine, Jon. , April 9, 2009.</ref><ref name=waldren>Waldren, Michael J. ''The Police Use of Firearms since 1945''. Sutton, 2007, p. 224.</ref> whereas most police officers in Britain are unarmed. The operational commander of the TSG as of March 9, 2009 is Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson.
The TSG are the successor to the ]. In April 1979 during a demonstration in ] by the ] against a ] election meeting taking place in the town hall. ] was knocked unconscious and died the next day in hospital. Police brutality was never proven to be a contributory factor in his death, but it was claimed that he had fallen to a blow from a rubberised police radio belonging to the ]'s ].<ref>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10560632</ref> The TSG are the successor to the ]. In April 1979 during a demonstration in ] by the ] against a ] election meeting taking place in the town hall. ] was knocked unconscious and died the next day in hospital. Police brutality was never proven to be a contributory factor in his death, but it was claimed that he had fallen to a blow from a rubberised police radio belonging to the ]'s ].<ref>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10560632</ref>


===IPCC=== ===IPCC===
{{main|Independent Police Complaints Commission}} {{main|Independent Police Complaints Commission}}
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was created by the ], and began to operate on 1 April 2004. It replaced the ] (PCA) following public dissatisfaction with the latter's relationship with the police. Unlike the PCA, the IPCC operates independently of the ], which regulates the police. IPCC investigators are not police officers, though they have been given the powers of the police. The IPCC refers to itself as "most powerful civilian oversight body in the world."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> Its current chair is ].<ref name=GuruMurphy/> The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was created by the ], and began to operate on 1 April, 2004. It replaced the ] (PCA) following public dissatisfaction with the latter's relationship with the police. Unlike the PCA, the IPCC operates independently of the ], which regulates the police. IPCC investigators are not police officers, though they have been given the powers of the police. The IPCC refers to itself as "most powerful civilian oversight body in the world."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> Its current chair is ].<ref name=GuruMurphy/>


==The incident== ==The incident==
===Tomlinson's route=== ===Tomlinson's route===
]" by cordons as Tomlinson was trying to make his way home.]] ]" by cordons as Tomlinson was trying to make his way home.]]
Press reports indicate that Tomlinson did not take part in the G-20 protests, but was walking across London's financial district during the protests on 1 April, attempting to get back to the Lindsey Hotel, Smithfield after work. He was wearing a ] ] and tracksuit trousers. The route he took was apparently his normal route home from a newspaper stand on Fish Street Hill outside ], where he worked with a friend, Barry Smith.<ref name=BrownApril9/> It brought him into contact with police cordons created as part of ''Operation Glencoe'', the police operation to prevent public disorder during the G20 summit.<ref name=ONeillApril11>O'Neill, Sean. , ''The Times'', 11 April 2009.</ref> Press reports indicate that Tomlinson did not take part in the G-20 protests, but was walking across London's financial district during the protests on 1 April, attempting to get back to the Lindsey Hotel, Smithfield after work. He was wearing a ] ] and tracksuit trousers. The route he took was apparently his normal route home from a newspaper stand on Fish Street Hill outside ], where he worked with a friend, Barry Smith.<ref name=BrownApril9/> It brought him into contact with police cordons created as part of ''Operation Glencoe'', the police operation to prevent public disorder during the G20 summit.<ref name=ONeillApril11>O'Neill, Sean. , ''The Times'', April 11, 2009.</ref>


===6:07 pm: First alleged encounter with police=== ===6:07 pm: First alleged encounter with police===
Barry Smith says Tomlinson left the stand at around 7 pm.<ref name=BrownApril9>Brown, David. , ''The Times'', 9 April 2009.</ref> published by the ''Daily Mail'' shows Tomlinson standing in front of a police van at 6:07 pm, according to the newspaper. The ''Mail'' writes that an eyewitness, an IT worker, said Tomlinson was drunk and was refusing to move. He was reportedly "manhandled" out of the way by four riot officers.<ref name=GillApril10/> The ''Mail'' has published of him apparently being pushed by the police at 6:09 pm.<ref name=GillApril10/> Barry Smith says Tomlinson left the stand at around 7 pm.<ref name=BrownApril9>Brown, David. , ''The Times'', 9 April, 2009.</ref> published by the ''Daily Mail'' shows Tomlinson standing in front of a police van at 6:07 pm, according to the newspaper. The ''Mail'' writes that an eyewitness, an IT worker, said Tomlinson was drunk and was refusing to move. He was reportedly "manhandled" out of the way by four riot officers.<ref name=GillApril10/> The ''Mail'' has published of him apparently being pushed by the police at 6:09 pm.<ref name=GillApril10/>


''The Times'' writes that Tomlinson walked up King William Hill towards the Bank of England. At the junction with ], there were two lines of police in riot gear, who had "]" (contained by cordons) thousands of ] protesters who were in an area around the bank.<ref name=BrownApril9/> ''The Times'' writes that Tomlinson walked up King William Hill towards the Bank of England. At the junction with ], there were two lines of police in riot gear, who had "]" (contained by cordons) thousands of ] protesters who were in an area around the bank.<ref name=BrownApril9/>
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===7:20 pm: Second alleged assault=== ===7:20 pm: Second alleged assault===
] ]
] ]
''The Times'' writes that video footage obtained by ''The Guardian'' shows the same group of officers approach Tomlinson again, possibly as much as 15 minutes later, outside a ] store at the southern end of Royal Exchange Buildings.<ref name=BrownApril9/><!--Note: The Times says: "Video footage shows the same group of officers that had previously confronted Mr Tomlinson approach him again outside a Montblanc shop at the south end of Royal Exchange Buildings."--> ''The Times'' writes that video footage obtained by ''The Guardian'' shows the same group of officers approach Tomlinson again, possibly as much as 15 minutes later, outside a ] store at the southern end of Royal Exchange Buildings.<ref name=BrownApril9/><!--Note: The Times says: "Video footage shows the same group of officers that had previously confronted Mr Tomlinson approach him again outside a Montblanc shop at the south end of Royal Exchange Buildings."-->


The video, passed to ''The Guardian'' at 2 am on 7 April by an investment fund manager from New York who was in London on business, shows Tomlinson walking slowly with his hands in his pockets. Several police officers in riot gear with dogs are walking closely behind him. An eyewitness, Alan Edwards, says Tomlinson was saying, "I want to go home. I live down there. I'm trying to get home." The witness said Tomlinson was obeying police orders to move in the direction he was going.<ref name=Lewishelper>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April 2009.</ref> The video, passed to ''The Guardian'' at 2 am on 7 April by an investment fund manager from New York who was in London on business, shows Tomlinson walking slowly with his hands in his pockets. Several police officers in riot gear with dogs are walking closely behind him. An eyewitness, Alan Edwards, says Tomlinson was saying, "I want to go home. I live down there. I'm trying to get home." The witness said Tomlinson was obeying police orders to move in the direction he was going.<ref name=Lewishelper>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref>


The footage shows one officer appear to lunge at Tomlinson from behind, then strike him across the legs with a baton the officer was holding in his left hand. The same officer then appears to push Tomlinson's back, causing him to fall. The footage shows one officer appear to lunge at Tomlinson from behind, then strike him across the legs with a baton the officer was holding in his left hand. The same officer then appears to push Tomlinson's back, causing him to fall.


On 8 April, '']'' released more footage of the same scene, which shows the officer striking out at Tomlinson from a different angle.<ref name=SecondvideoApril8>, ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref> The video shows the officer's arm swing back fully to head height before bringing it downwards to hit Tomlinson on the legs.<ref name=GuardianApril8staff>, ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref><ref name=BrownApril9/> On April 8, '']'' released more footage of the same scene, which shows the officer striking out at Tomlinson from a different angle.<ref name=SecondvideoApril8>, ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref> The video shows the officer's arm swing back fully to head height before bringing it downwards to hit Tomlinson on the legs.<ref name=GuardianApril8staff>, ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref><ref name=BrownApril9/>


===7:25 pm: Tomlinson's collapse=== ===7:25 pm: Tomlinson's collapse===
] ]
Tomlinson can be seen briefly remonstrating with police as he sat on the ground. After being helped to his feet by a protester, Alan Edwards, he walked 200 feet to ], opposite St Michael's Alley, where he collapsed at around 7:25 pm outside the Co-operative Bank. Witnesses say he had been stumbling, appeared dazed, his eyes were rolling, and his skin was deathly grey. They also said he smelled of alcohol.<ref name=BrownApril9/> Tomlinson can be seen briefly remonstrating with police as he sat on the ground. After being helped to his feet by a protester, Alan Edwards, he walked 200 feet to ], opposite St Michael's Alley, where he collapsed at around 7:25 pm outside the Co-operative Bank. Witnesses say he had been stumbling, appeared dazed, his eyes were rolling, and his skin was deathly grey. They also said he smelled of alcohol.<ref name=BrownApril9/>


An ] photographer went to give medical aid, but was forced away by police, as was Lucy Apps, a third-year medical student.<ref name=BrownApril9/><ref name=KearneyApril9>Kearney, Martha. , ''BBC Radio 4 News'', 9 April 2009.</ref> Daniel McPhee, a social support worker, told ''The Daily Telegraph'' that he was one of the first on the scene, and that he dialled ]. At that point, Tomlinson was reportedly still breathing. The ambulance operator told McPhee to put Tomlinson on his back, McPhee says. Then a group of riot police surrounded Tomlinson. The operator asked to speak to the police. McPhee says the police ignored the request.<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9>Rayner, Gordon and Swaine, Jon. , ''The Daily Telegraph'', 9 April 2009.</ref> Police medics then attended to Tomlinson, who was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.<ref name=LewisLaville>Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. , ''The Guardian'', 6 April 2009.</ref> An ] photographer went to give medical aid, but was forced away by police, as was Lucy Apps, a third-year medical student.<ref name=BrownApril9/><ref name=KearneyApril9>Kearney, Martha. , ''BBC Radio 4 News'', 9 April, 2009.</ref> Daniel McPhee, a social support worker, told ''The Daily Telegraph'' that he was one of the first on the scene, and that he dialled ]. At that point, Tomlinson was reportedly still breathing. The ambulance operator told McPhee to put Tomlinson on his back, McPhee says. Then a group of riot police surrounded Tomlinson. The operator asked to speak to the police. McPhee says the police ignored the request.<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9>Rayner, Gordon and Swaine, Jon. , ''The Daily Telegraph'', 9 April, 2009.</ref> Police medics then attended to Tomlinson, who was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.<ref name=LewisLaville>Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. , ''The Guardian'', 6 April, 2009.</ref>


===The officer in the video=== ===The officer in the video===
The officer in question and three colleagues from the Met are reported to have made themselves known to a manager, then to the IPCC, on 8 April, the day after ''The Guardian'' published its video evidence.<ref name=DoddLewisApril9>Dodd, Vikram, and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April 2009.</ref> The officer in question and three colleagues from the Met are reported to have made themselves known to a manager, then to the IPCC, on 8 April, the day after ''The Guardian'' published its video evidence.<ref name=DoddLewisApril9>Dodd, Vikram, and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref>


The officer seen striking Tomlinson is a police constable with the Territorial Support Group (TSG), reportedly based at Larkhall Lane police station in ], ].<ref name=DelgadoApril12/> ''The Guardian'' alleges that he may have removed his shoulder number and covered his face with a ] before hitting Tomlinson.<ref name=LewisLaville2April9>Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April 2009.</ref> The ''Daily Mail'' writes that indicates that the officer's shoulder ID was missing.<ref name=GillApril10>Gill, Charlotte. , ''Daily Mail'', 10 April 2009.</ref> The ''Mail on Sunday'' writes that TSG officers have been known to swap shoulder IDs, so that they can claim, if accused of wrongdoing, that their unit was elsewhere at the time, and that it must be a case of mistaken identity.<ref name=DelgadoApril12>Delgado, Martin and Powell, Laura. . ''The Mail on Sunday'', 12 April 2009.</ref> The officer seen striking Tomlinson is a police constable with the Territorial Support Group (TSG), reportedly based at Larkhall Lane police station in ], ].<ref name=DelgadoApril12/> ''The Guardian'' alleges that he may have removed his shoulder number and covered his face with a ] before hitting Tomlinson.<ref name=LewisLaville2April9>Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref> The ''Daily Mail'' writes that indicates that the officer's shoulder ID was missing.<ref name=GillApril10>Gill, Charlotte. , ''Daily Mail'', April 10, 2009.</ref> The ''Mail on Sunday'' writes that TSG officers have been known to swap shoulder IDs, so that they can claim, if accused of wrongdoing, that their unit was elsewhere at the time, and that it must be a case of mistaken identity.<ref name=DelgadoApril12>Delgado, Martin and Powell, Laura. . ''The Mail on Sunday'', April 12, 2009.</ref>


The officer was suspended on 9 April, but as of 10 April had not been arrested, charged, or formally interviewed.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10>Fresco, Adam and O'Neill, Sean. , ''The Times'', 10 April 2009.</ref><ref name=LewisDoddApril10>Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', 10 April 2009.</ref> The officer was suspended on 9 April, but as of 10 April had not been arrested, charged, or formally interviewed.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10>Fresco, Adam and O'Neill, Sean. , ''The Times'', 10 April, 2009.</ref><ref name=LewisDoddApril10>Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', 10 April, 2009.</ref>


Several newspapers have reported the officer collapsed when he learned what had happened, though their accounts differ. ''The Independent on Sunday'' reports that the officer passed out when told at home that Tomlinson had died.<ref name=RandallApril12>Randall, David. , ''The Independent on Sunday'', 12 April 2009.</ref> ''The Mail on Sunday'' writes that he collapsed when told the incident had been filmed.<ref name=DelgadoApril12/> According to the ''Sunday Mirror'', the officer did not realize he was the man who had pushed Tomlinson until he saw ''The Guardian'' video on television on Wednesday, 8 April, at which point he telephoned the Met to tell them. The ''Mirror'' writes that he then collapsed and was taken with a suspected heart attack to a hospital in Sussex, though he was released the next day.<ref>, ''Sunday Mirror'', 11 April 2009.</ref> The ] has said the officer has been signed off work as sick, which may cause a delay in interviewing him.<ref name=DelgadoApril12/> Several newspapers have reported the officer collapsed when he learned what had happened, though their accounts differ. ''The Independent on Sunday'' reports that the officer passed out when told at home that Tomlinson had died.<ref name=RandallApril12>Randall, David. , ''The Independent on Sunday'', April 12, 2009.</ref> ''The Mail on Sunday'' writes that he collapsed when told the incident had been filmed.<ref name=DelgadoApril12/> According to the ''Sunday Mirror'', the officer did not realize he was the man who had pushed Tomlinson until he saw ''The Guardian'' video on television on Wednesday, April 8, at which point he telephoned the Met to tell them. The ''Mirror'' writes that he then collapsed and was taken with a suspected heart attack to a hospital in Sussex, though he was released the next day.<ref>, ''Sunday Mirror'', April 11, 2009.</ref> The ] has said the officer has been signed off work as sick, which may cause a delay in interviewing him.<ref name=DelgadoApril12/>


==IPCC criminal inquiry== ==IPCC criminal inquiry==
The IPCC removed the Tomlinson inquiry from the City of London police on 8 April, after publication of ''The Guardian'' video. IPCC investigators are not police officers. The IPCC told Channel 4 News on 9 April that there is still minor involvement from City of London police, though only to preserve continuity until IPCC investigators are up to speed.<ref name=GuruMurphy/> The IPCC removed the Tomlinson inquiry from the City of London police on April 8, after publication of ''The Guardian'' video. IPCC investigators are not police officers. The IPCC told Channel 4 News on 9 April that there is still minor involvement from City of London police, though only to preserve continuity until IPCC investigators are up to speed.<ref name=GuruMurphy/>


===Inquest and autopsies=== ===Inquest and autopsies===
The IPCC told reporters that the first postmortem, conducted by Dr Freddy Patel, concluded that Tomlinson had died of a heart attack. The IPCC said the autopsy showed Tomlinson did not have bruises or scratches on his head or shoulders, but did not say whether there were injuries elsewhere on his body.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10/> The IPCC told reporters that the first postmortem, conducted by Dr Freddy Patel, concluded that Tomlinson had died of a heart attack. The IPCC said the autopsy showed Tomlinson did not have bruises or scratches on his head or shoulders, but did not say whether there were injuries elsewhere on his body.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10/>


Patel is on a ] register of accredited ]s. ''The Guardian'' writes that he was reprimanded by the ] in 1999, after releasing to reporters medical details about Roger Sylvester, a black man who had died in police custody. Patel told reporters that Sylvester was a ] user, something his family denied. In 2002, the newspaper writes, the police dropped a criminal inquiry because Patel said the victim, Sally White, had died of a heart attack, with no signs of violence, though she was reportedly found naked with bruising to her body, an injury to her head, and a bite mark on her thigh.<ref name=Osley>Osley, Richard. , ''Camden New Journal'', 27 November 2003.</ref> ], a mentally ill alcoholic who lived in the flat in which her body was found locked in a bedroom, later murdered two women and placed their body parts in bin bags.<ref name=LewisApril11/2>Lewis, Paul. . ''The Guardian'', 11 April 2009.</ref> Patel is on a ] register of accredited ]s. ''The Guardian'' writes that he was reprimanded by the ] in 1999, after releasing to reporters medical details about Roger Sylvester, a black man who had died in police custody. Patel told reporters that Sylvester was a ] user, something his family denied. In 2002, the newspaper writes, the police dropped a criminal inquiry because Patel said the victim, Sally White, had died of a heart attack, with no signs of violence, though she was reportedly found naked with bruising to her body, an injury to her head, and a bite mark on her thigh.<ref name=Osley>Osley, Richard. , ''Camden New Journal'', November 27, 2003.</ref> ], a mentally ill alcoholic who lived in the flat in which her body was found locked in a bedroom, later murdered two women and placed their body parts in bin bags.<ref name=LewisApril11/2>Lewis, Paul. . ''The Guardian'', April 11, 2009.</ref>


], justice spokesman for the ], has asked how Patel was chosen as the pathologist. An unnamed source told ''The Guardian'' that a suspicious death within London would normally be referred to the Forensic Pathology Services. Patel responded to ''The Guardian's'' criticism by saying the GMC reprimand was a long time ago, and that his findings in the Sally White case were not contested.<ref name=LewisApril11/2/> ], justice spokesman for the ], has asked how Patel was chosen as the pathologist. An unnamed source told ''The Guardian'' that a suspicious death within London would normally be referred to the Forensic Pathology Services. Patel responded to ''The Guardian's'' criticism by saying the GMC reprimand was a long time ago, and that his findings in the Sally White case were not contested.<ref name=LewisApril11/2/>
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An ] opened on 9 April, and a second postmortem, ordered jointly by the IPCC and Tomlinson's family, was carried out that day by Dr. Nathaniel Carey, described by ''The Times'' as one of Britain's most eminent ]s.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10/> The coroner in the case is the City of London coroner, Paul Matthews.<ref name=LewisApril11/2/> An ] opened on 9 April, and a second postmortem, ordered jointly by the IPCC and Tomlinson's family, was carried out that day by Dr. Nathaniel Carey, described by ''The Times'' as one of Britain's most eminent ]s.<ref name=FrescoONeillApril10/> The coroner in the case is the City of London coroner, Paul Matthews.<ref name=LewisApril11/2/>


''The Guardian'' writes that Carey was asked to focus on whether Tomlinson had been bitten by a police dog, or had injuries consistent with being hit by a baton. He also looked for neurological injuries.<ref name=LewisDoddApril10/2>Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', 10 April 2009 (updated).</ref> Carey's report has been passed to the IPCC and the family, but no details had been released as of 11 April.<ref name=ONeillApril11/> ''The Guardian'' writes that Carey was asked to focus on whether Tomlinson had been bitten by a police dog, or had injuries consistent with being hit by a baton. He also looked for neurological injuries.<ref name=LewisDoddApril10/2>Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. , ''The Guardian'', 10 April, 2009 (updated).</ref> Carey's report has been passed to the IPCC and the family, but no details had been released as of April 11.<ref name=ONeillApril11/>


==How the story emerged== ==How the story emerged==
{{Tomlinson timeline}} {{Tomlinson timeline}}
===1-4 April: Initial police reports=== ===April 1-4: Initial police reports===
The Met issued its first statement on 1 April at 23:36 pm, around four hours after Tomlinson's death. It said that police had been alerted that a man had collapsed, and were attacked by "a number of missiles" as they tried to save his life: The Met issued its first statement on 1 April at 23:36 pm, around four hours after Tomlinson's death. It said that police had been alerted that a man had collapsed, and were attacked by "a number of missiles" as they tried to save his life:


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"The officers took the decision to move him as during this time a number of missiles - believed to be bottles - were being thrown at them.<p> "The officers took the decision to move him as during this time a number of missiles - believed to be bottles - were being thrown at them.<p>


"LAS took the man to hospital where he was pronounced dead.<ref>, ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref>}} "LAS took the man to hospital where he was pronounced dead.<ref>, ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref>}}


From 2 April over the next few days, the IPCC told journalists that Tomlinson's family had expressed concerns about his health, and were "not surprised to hear what had happened." When journalists asked whether Tomlinson had had any contact with police officers before his death, they were told the speculation would "upset the family."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9>Laville, Sandra and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref> From 2 April over the next few days, the IPCC told journalists that Tomlinson's family had expressed concerns about his health, and were "not surprised to hear what had happened." When journalists asked whether Tomlinson had had any contact with police officers before his death, they were told the speculation would "upset the family."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9>Laville, Sandra and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref>
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===Initial newspaper reports=== ===Initial newspaper reports===
]'' reported that police had battled to save the life of a "heart attack victim," but had been hindered by protesters.]]

In accordance with police briefings, the ''Evening Standard'', London's evening newspaper, reported on 2 April that, "police were bombarded with bricks, bottles and planks of wood" as they assisted Tomlinson.<ref name=DavenportApril2>Davenport, Justin. , ''The Evening Standard'', 2 April 2009, accessed 8 April 2009.</ref> The web edition of the story was later changed, but still stated: In accordance with police briefings, the ''Evening Standard'', London's evening newspaper, reported on 2 April that, "police were bombarded with bricks, bottles and planks of wood" as they assisted Tomlinson.<ref name=DavenportApril2>Davenport, Justin. , ''The Evening Standard'', 2 April, 2009, accessed April 8, 2009.</ref> The web edition of the story was later changed, but still stated:


<blockquote>"Today it emerged that police had come under a barrage of missiles as they tried to save the life of a man who collapsed during a protest near the ] last night.<p> <blockquote>"Today it emerged that police had come under a barrage of missiles as they tried to save the life of a man who collapsed during a protest near the ] last night.<p>
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"The officers were hit by bottles thrown from the crowd and were forced to carry the man to a safe location to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. An ambulance crew then took the man to hospital, where he died.<p> "The officers were hit by bottles thrown from the crowd and were forced to carry the man to a safe location to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. An ambulance crew then took the man to hospital, where he died.<p>


"An independent investigation has been ordered into the death of the man, who was in his forties. He had been found slumped in an alley off Cornhill after suffering a suspected heart attack. Police are investigating reports that he was an innocent by-stander who got caught up in the trouble."<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2>Davenport, Justin and Brierley, Danny. , ''The Evening Standard]], 2 April 2009; accessed 8 April 2009.</ref></blockquote> "An independent investigation has been ordered into the death of the man, who was in his forties. He had been found slumped in an alley off Cornhill after suffering a suspected heart attack. Police are investigating reports that he was an innocent by-stander who got caught up in the trouble."<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2>Davenport, Justin and Brierley, Danny. , ''The Evening Standard]], 2 April, 2009; accessed April 8, 2009.</ref></blockquote>


The newspaper went on to report, "A witness claimed that protesters came to the aid of the man, and that just a few plastic bottles were thrown by people further back in the crowd who did not realise what was happening.<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2/> The newspaper went on to report, "A witness claimed that protesters came to the aid of the man, and that just a few plastic bottles were thrown by people further back in the crowd who did not realise what was happening.<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2/>
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Fran Legg, a politics student at ], told ''The Evening Standard'' that it was a friend of hers who put Tomlinson in the ]. She said that around eight riot police arrived on the scene with police medics, who stood around Tomlinson. The ''Standard'' reported that, "by the time police medics took over from her friend, the man had fallen unconscious."<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2/> Fran Legg, a politics student at ], told ''The Evening Standard'' that it was a friend of hers who put Tomlinson in the ]. She said that around eight riot police arrived on the scene with police medics, who stood around Tomlinson. The ''Standard'' reported that, "by the time police medics took over from her friend, the man had fallen unconscious."<ref name=DavenportBrierleyApril2/>


Witnesses stated that one or two plastic bottles were thrown by people who were unaware of Tomlinson's situation, but other protesters told them to stop.<ref name=LewisWilliamsJones>Lewis, Paul; Williams, Rachel; and Jones, Sam. , ''The Guardian'', 2 April 2009, accessed 3 April 2009.</ref> '']'' wrote that an analysis of television footage and photographs showed just one bottle, that was probably plastic, being thrown in the area.<ref name=BrownApril9/> Eyewitness Jasper Jackson, who photographed Tomlinson just before the man collapsed, said, "There were a couple of people throwing bottles in the direction. A bottle smashed near a ]. Protesters told them to stop it. In fact they were threatening to kill other protesters if they did anything to disrupt the treatment."<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/> Witnesses stated that one or two plastic bottles were thrown by people who were unaware of Tomlinson's situation, but other protesters told them to stop.<ref name=LewisWilliamsJones>Lewis, Paul; Williams, Rachel; and Jones, Sam. , ''The Guardian'', 2 April, 2009, accessed 3 April, 2009.</ref> '']'' wrote that an analysis of television footage and photographs showed just one bottle, that was probably plastic, being thrown in the area.<ref name=BrownApril9/> Eyewitness Jasper Jackson, who photographed Tomlinson just before the man collapsed, said, "There were a couple of people throwing bottles in the direction. A bottle smashed near a ]. Protesters told them to stop it. In fact they were threatening to kill other protesters if they did anything to disrupt the treatment."<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/>


===7 April: ''Guardian'' video=== ===April 7: ''Guardian'' video===
The ''Guardian'' video showing the second assault on Tomlinson was shot on a digital camera by an investment fund manager from New York, visiting London on business, who said he attended the protests out of curiosity. The man, who has asked not to be named, told ''The Guardian'': The ''Guardian'' video showing the second assault on Tomlinson was shot on a digital camera by an investment fund manager from New York, visiting London on business, who said he attended the protests out of curiosity. The man, who has asked not to be named, told ''The Guardian'':


<blockquote>"Around 7.20pm or so, the riot police began kettling the crowd away from the Bank station and the crowd began to panic as the police lines closed in. Then the dogs were brought in. I spotted Mr Tomlinson wandering around Royal Exchange very close to the police line with the dogs, hands in his pockets. He appeared to be only an observer.<p> <blockquote>"Around 7.20pm or so, the riot police began kettling the crowd away from the Bank station and the crowd began to panic as the police lines closed in. Then the dogs were brought in. I spotted Mr Tomlinson wandering around Royal Exchange very close to the police line with the dogs, hands in his pockets. He appeared to be only an observer.<p>


"It was then, when Mr Tomlinson's back was turned to the police line, that a masked riot officer forcibly threw Mr Tomlinson to the ground from behind. With his hands in his pockets, his ability to break his fall was limited. Although he did get his hands out in time, I believe he hit the top of his head on the pavement. This is all captured on the video."<ref name=LewisApril8video>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref></blockquote> "It was then, when Mr Tomlinson's back was turned to the police line, that a masked riot officer forcibly threw Mr Tomlinson to the ground from behind. With his hands in his pockets, his ability to break his fall was limited. Although he did get his hands out in time, I believe he hit the top of his head on the pavement. This is all captured on the video."<ref name=LewisApril8video>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref></blockquote>


At first, he did not understand the significance of what he had filmed. It was only after several days, on his way to ], that he realised the man he had filmed being assaulted was the same man reported as having died of a heart attack. At that point, at 2 am on 7 April, he passed his footage to ''The Guardian'', which published it that afternoon, then gave a copy to the IPCC.<ref name=LewisApril8video/> At first, he did not understand the significance of what he had filmed. It was only after several days, on his way to ], that he realised the man he had filmed being assaulted was the same man reported as having died of a heart attack. At that point, at 2 am on April 7, he passed his footage to ''The Guardian'', which published it that afternoon, then gave a copy to the IPCC.<ref name=LewisApril8video/>


===8 April: Channel 4/Ken McCallum video=== ===April 8: Channel 4/Ken McCallum video===
A second video of the assault was published shortly after the ''Guardian's'', this one taken by Channel 4 News. Shot from a different angle, the footage shows the officer who hit Tomlinson draw his left arm back fully to head height before bringing the baton down on Tomlinson's legs.<ref> showing the same incident from a different angle, ''The Guardian, 8 April 2009.</ref> A second video of the assault was published shortly after the ''Guardian's'', this one taken by Channel 4 News. Shot from a different angle, the footage shows the officer who hit Tomlinson draw his left arm back fully to head height before bringing the baton down on Tomlinson's legs.<ref> showing the same incident from a different angle, ''The Guardian, April 8, 2009.</ref>


], chief correspondent of Channel 4 News, who was present at the time, writes that Ken McCallum, the Channel 4 cameraman, was filming another incident, where three bankers appeared to be provoking the crowd. In the background, unseen by the journalists but recorded by the camera, Ian Tomlinson was being assaulted. Half an hour later, Thomson was doing a live broadcast, when something happened that caused the camera to be broken; he won't say what, as the incident is apparently being investigated by police and lawyers. It look engineers several days to recover the tape, which is when they saw that Tomlinson's assault was on it. Channel 4 broadcast it on 8 April.<ref name=ThomsonApril12>Thomson, Alex. , Channel 4 News, 13 April 2009.</ref> ], chief correspondent of Channel 4 News, who was present at the time, writes that Ken McCallum, the Channel 4 cameraman, was filming another incident, where three bankers appeared to be provoking the crowd. In the background, unseen by the journalists but recorded by the camera, Ian Tomlinson was being assaulted. Half an hour later, Thomson was doing a live broadcast, when something happened that caused the camera to be broken; he won't say what, as the incident is apparently being investigated by police and lawyers. It look engineers several days to recover the tape, which is when they saw that Tomlinson's assault was on it. Channel 4 broadcast it on April 8.<ref name=ThomsonApril12>Thomson, Alex. , Channel 4 News, April 13, 2009.</ref>


===9 April: Nabeela Zahir video=== ===April 9: Nabeela Zahir video===
On 9 April, ''The Guardian'' published new video shot by Nabeela Zahir, a freelance journalist. The footage shows the immediate aftermath of the incident, with Tomlinson on the ground, almost hidden by members of the public and the police. The police can be seen moving away at least one woman who tried to help him, and a man, Daniel McPhee, who was on the phone to the ambulance services.<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/><ref name=LewisWalkerApril9>Lewis, Paul and Walker, Peter. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April 2009.</ref> On 9 April, ''The Guardian'' published new video shot by Nabeela Zahir, a freelance journalist. The footage shows the immediate aftermath of the incident, with Tomlinson on the ground, almost hidden by members of the public and the police. The police can be seen moving away at least one woman who tried to help him, and a man, Daniel McPhee, who was on the phone to the ambulance services.<ref name=RaynerSwaineApril9/><ref name=LewisWalkerApril9>Lewis, Paul and Walker, Peter. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref>


''The Guardian'' writes that there is no evidence of the "barrage of missiles" reported on 2 April by the ''Evening Standard'' after police briefings. One protester shouts, "There is someone hurt here. Back the fuck up." Another voice in the crowd says, "There's someone hurt. Don't throw anything." This indicates that something may have been thrown, but no "barrage of missiles," and the police officers around Tomlinson were not affected by whatever it was.<ref name=LewisWalkerApril9/> ''The Guardian'' writes that there is no evidence of the "barrage of missiles" reported on 2 April by the ''Evening Standard'' after police briefings. One protester shouts, "There is someone hurt here. Back the fuck up." Another voice in the crowd says, "There's someone hurt. Don't throw anything." This indicates that something may have been thrown, but no "barrage of missiles," and the police officers around Tomlinson were not affected by whatever it was.<ref name=LewisWalkerApril9/>
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The newspaper also writes that, 56 seconds into the video, three officers can be seen with their face masks pulled halfway up their faces.<ref name=LewisWalkerApril9/> The newspaper also writes that, 56 seconds into the video, three officers can be seen with their face masks pulled halfway up their faces.<ref name=LewisWalkerApril9/>


===14 April: Existence of CCTV cameras confirmed=== ===April 14: Existence of CCTV cameras confirmed===
Interviewed on 9 April by Channel 4 News, Nick Hardwick, the chair of the IPCC, said there were no CCTV images of the assault on Tomlinson, because there were no CCTV cameras in the area. He said: "We don't have CCTV footage of the incident... there is no CCTV footage, there were no cameras in the location where he was assaulted.<ref name=GuruMurphy/> Interviewed on April 9 by Channel 4 News, Nick Hardwick, the chair of the IPCC, said there were no CCTV images of the assault on Tomlinson, because there were no CCTV cameras in the area. He said: "We don't have CCTV footage of the incident... there is no CCTV footage, there were no cameras in the location where he was assaulted.<ref name=GuruMurphy/>


On 14 April, the ''Evening Standard'' wrote that it had discovered at least six CCTV cameras in the area around the assault. At 10:30 am, after photographs of the cameras were published, the IPPC reversed its position and said its investigators were looking at footage recovered from cameras in ] near the corner of ], where Tomlinson was assaulted. An IPCC spokesperson, Deborah Glass, said, "At this point, Mr Hardwick believed that he was correct in this assertion &mdash; we now know this may not be accurate. There are cameras in the surrounding area."<ref name=DominiczakApril14>Dominiczak, Peter; Proctor, Lucy; and Randhawa, Kiran. , ''Evening Standard, 14 April 2009, accessed 14 April 2009.</ref><ref name=LewisApril14>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 14 April 2009.</ref> On April 14, the ''Evening Standard'' wrote that it had discovered at least six CCTV cameras in the area around the assault. At 10:30 am, after photographs of the cameras were published, the IPPC reversed its position and said its investigators were looking at footage recovered from cameras in ] near the corner of ], where Tomlinson was assaulted. An IPCC spokesperson, Deborah Glass, said, "At this point, Mr Hardwick believed that he was correct in this assertion &mdash; we now know this may not be accurate. There are cameras in the surrounding area."<ref name=DominiczakApril14>Dominiczak, Peter; Proctor, Lucy; and Randhawa, Kiran. , ''Evening Standard, April 14, 2009, accessed April 14, 2009.</ref><ref name=LewisApril14>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', April 14, 2009.</ref>


===Allegations of obstructing journalists=== ===Allegations of obstructing journalists===
''The Guardian'' reports that the IPCC and police may have sought to obstruct the newspaper's initial enquiries into Tomlinson's death. Investigators agree that speed is of the essence in such enquiries, in order to make sure evidence does not disappear. ''The Guardian'' reports that the ] delayed the announcement of Tomlinson's death by three hours, while blaming protesters for having attacked them with bottles while officers were trying to save his life. The police now refuse to say where that information came from, according to ''The Guardian''.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9>Laville, Sandra and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April 2009.</ref> ''The Guardian'' reports that the IPCC and police may have sought to obstruct the newspaper's initial enquiries into Tomlinson's death. Investigators agree that speed is of the essence in such enquiries, in order to make sure evidence does not disappear. ''The Guardian'' reports that the ] delayed the announcement of Tomlinson's death by three hours, while blaming protesters for having attacked them with bottles while officers were trying to save his life. The police now refuse to say where that information came from, according to ''The Guardian''.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9>Laville, Sandra and Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 9 April, 2009.</ref>


The IPCC announced that the investigation would be handled by the ]. Journalists were told that Tomlinson's family had expressed concern about his health, and were "not surprised" to hear what had happened to him. ''The Guardian'' says this was used to guide the way newspapers reported the death. When journalists asked whether police officers had had any contact with Tomlinson before he died, they were asked not to speculate, because it "upset the family." When reporters asked police if they could make direct contact with the family, they were refused. The police issued a statement on the family's behalf instead, which said, "The police are keeping us informed of any developments."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> The IPCC announced that the investigation would be handled by the ]. Journalists were told that Tomlinson's family had expressed concern about his health, and were "not surprised" to hear what had happened to him. ''The Guardian'' says this was used to guide the way newspapers reported the death. When journalists asked whether police officers had had any contact with Tomlinson before he died, they were asked not to speculate, because it "upset the family." When reporters asked police if they could make direct contact with the family, they were refused. The police issued a statement on the family's behalf instead, which said, "The police are keeping us informed of any developments."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/>
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That morning, Tomlinson's family attended the scene of his death, where they met a ''Guardian'' reporter. They were reportedly happy with the publication of the image. They wanted to know more, according to the newspaper, and gave the reporter their contact details. The family's police liason officer later approached the newspaper to say he was "extremely unhappy" that the reporter had spoken to the family, and that the newspaper had to stay away from them for 48 hours. The IPCC separately accused the newspaper of "doorstepping the family at a time of grief." On the same day, the IPCC briefed journalists from other newspapers that "there was nothing in the story" that Tomlinson might have been assaulted by police before his death."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> That morning, Tomlinson's family attended the scene of his death, where they met a ''Guardian'' reporter. They were reportedly happy with the publication of the image. They wanted to know more, according to the newspaper, and gave the reporter their contact details. The family's police liason officer later approached the newspaper to say he was "extremely unhappy" that the reporter had spoken to the family, and that the newspaper had to stay away from them for 48 hours. The IPCC separately accused the newspaper of "doorstepping the family at a time of grief." On the same day, the IPCC briefed journalists from other newspapers that "there was nothing in the story" that Tomlinson might have been assaulted by police before his death."<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/>


On Tuesday, 7 April, ''The Guardian'' published on its website the video of the alleged second assault on Tomlinson, and later that evening handed evidence to an IPCC investigator and a City of London police officer who had arrived at the newspaper's offices.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> In a statement issued on 8 April, the IPCC said it was not aware of the video until they heard it had been published on the ''Guardian'' website, at which point they asked for and were given the footage.<ref name=IPCCstatementApril8> , ''The Guardian'', 8 April 2009.</ref> On Tuesday, 7 April, ''The Guardian'' published on its website the video of the alleged second assault on Tomlinson, and later that evening handed evidence to an IPCC investigator and a City of London police officer who had arrived at the newspaper's offices.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> In a statement issued on April 8, the IPCC said it was not aware of the video until they heard it had been published on the ''Guardian'' website, at which point they asked for and were given the footage.<ref name=IPCCstatementApril8> , ''The Guardian'', April 8, 2009.</ref>


The officers requested the removal of the video from the website, arguing that it was "jeopardising" their inquiry and was not helpful to the family. The family later thanked the newspaper for having published it.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> It was only after publication of the video on 7 April that the IPCC announced, on 8 April, that the City of London police would no longer be involved in the investigation.<ref name=DoddApril8/> The officers requested the removal of the video from the website, arguing that it was "jeopardising" their inquiry and was not helpful to the family. The family later thanked the newspaper for having published it.<ref name=LavilleLewisApril9/> It was only after publication of the video on 7 April that the IPCC announced, on 8 April, that the City of London police would no longer be involved in the investigation.<ref name=DoddApril8/>
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===Tristan Woodwards video=== ===Tristan Woodwards video===
On 14 April, newspapers published video taken during a vigil for Tomlinson on 2 April outside the ], near the spot where he died. One officer, a sergeant with the Territorial Support Group, is seen slapping a woman across the face while she argued with him, then striking her legs with his baton. ''The Guardian'' writes that the officer's badge number was concealed. The footage was shot by Tristan Woodwards, who uploaded it to '']'' on 8 April.<ref name=Woodwards>Woodwards, Tristan. , alleged assault begins at circa 3 minutes, 49 seconds.</ref><ref name=LewisApril15>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', 15 April 2009, accessed 15 April 2009.</ref> On 14 April, newspapers published video taken during a vigil for Tomlinson on 2 April outside the ], near the spot where he died. One officer, a sergeant with the Territorial Support Group, is seen slapping a woman across the face while she argued with him, then striking her legs with his baton. ''The Guardian'' writes that the officer's badge number was concealed. The footage was shot by Tristan Woodwards, who uploaded it to '']'' on 8 April.<ref name=Woodwards>Woodwards, Tristan. , alleged assault begins at circa 3 minutes, 49 seconds.</ref><ref name=LewisApril15>Lewis, Paul. , ''The Guardian'', April 15, 2009, accessed April 15, 2009.</ref>


The IPCC has said it will investigate. The officer has been suspended.<ref name=LewisApril15/> The IPCC has said it will investigate. The officer has been suspended.<ref name=LewisApril15/>
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The IPCC has recently been criticised on several fronts for not being responsive enough to public concerns about the police. The IPCC has recently been criticised on several fronts for not being responsive enough to public concerns about the police.


In February 2008, over 100 lawyers who specialise in police complaints resigned from the IPCC's advisory body, citing a failure of provide adequate oversight; a "pattern of favouritism" towards the police with complaints being turned down despite strong evidence; indifference and rudeness towards complainants; delays stretching over several years in some cases; and key decisions being made by managers with little or no legal training or relevant experience. They wrote to Nick Hardwick that there was "increasing dismay and disillusionment" at the "consistently poor quality of decision-making at all levels of the IPCC."<ref name=DaviesFeb2008>Davies, Nick. , ''The Guardian'', 25 February 2008.</ref> Hardwick responded to the criticism in a letter to ''The Guardian''.<ref name=Hardwick>Hardwick, Nick. , ''The Guardian'', 27 February 2009.</ref> In February 2008, over 100 lawyers who specialise in police complaints resigned from the IPCC's advisory body, citing a failure of provide adequate oversight; a "pattern of favouritism" towards the police with complaints being turned down despite strong evidence; indifference and rudeness towards complainants; delays stretching over several years in some cases; and key decisions being made by managers with little or no legal training or relevant experience. They wrote to Nick Hardwick that there was "increasing dismay and disillusionment" at the "consistently poor quality of decision-making at all levels of the IPCC."<ref name=DaviesFeb2008>Davies, Nick. , ''The Guardian'', February 25 2008.</ref> Hardwick responded to the criticism in a letter to ''The Guardian''.<ref name=Hardwick>Hardwick, Nick. , ''The Guardian'', February 27, 2009.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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===Other=== ===Other===
*, ITN, 8 April, 2009. *, ITN, 8 April, 2009.
*, ''Daily Mail'', 10 April 2009. The newspaper says this shows Tomlinson standing in front of a police van at 6:07 pm. *, ''Daily Mail'', April 10, 2009. The newspaper says this shows Tomlinson standing in front of a police van at 6:07 pm.
*, ''Daily Mail'', 10 April 2009. *, ''Daily Mail'', April 10, 2009.
*, Coroners Law Resource, King's College London. *, Coroners Law Resource, King's College London.
* The surveillance state turned a blind eye on Ian Tomlinson * The surveillance state turned a blind eye on Ian Tomlinson

Revision as of 02:45, 15 April 2009

Graphic of a globe with a red analog clockThis article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (April 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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File:Ian Tomlinson (G20 protests).JPG
Jasper Jackson took this image of Ian Tomlinson, after the alleged assault, walking toward Cornhill, where he collapsed and died moments later. Jackson said, "He looked dazed and his eyes were glazed. He was walking really slowly."

Ian Tomlinson (1961/62 – 1 April, 2009) was a British newspaper vendor who died in the City of London, London's financial district, during the 2009 G-20 London summit protests on his way home from work. A first postmortem indicated that he had had a heart attack and died of natural causes.

His death became controversial a week later when The Guardian obtained footage, taken by an investment fund manager from New York, showing that Tomlinson, who was not a protester, had been struck on the leg from behind by a police officer wielding a baton, then pushed to the ground by the same officer. The footage shows no provocation on Tomlinson's part, who at the time was walking along with his hands in his pockets.

A second postmortem has been conducted, ordered jointly by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Tomlinson's family, and a criminal inquiry has begun, from which the police have been removed. The IPCC has appointed its own investigators to examine whether the police assaulted Tomlinson, and whether that assault caused his death.

The incident — which is being called "Britain's Rodney King moment" — has highlighted a number of issues in the UK, particularly what appears to be a deteriorating relationship between the police and the public, and questions over the extent to which the IPCC is truly independent of the police. It has also sparked widespread debate about the role of citizens in monitoring police and government activities.

Background

Ian Tomlinson

Tomlinson was born to Jim and Ann Tomlinson, and was raised in Matlock, Derbyshire. His father told reporters that another son of his, Stephen, died after a heart attack in 2008, at the age of 46. Tomlinson moved to London when he was 17 to work as a scaffolder or roofer in the East End. At the time of his death, he was working casually as an Evening Standard newspaper vendor.

Known as "Tommo" to his friends, he was married with nine children — five girls and four boys — aged between 15 and 32, four from his marriage to Julia Tomlinson, and five from his wife's previous marriage. He and his wife had been living separately for 13 years, reportedly as a result of his problems with alcohol. He was living in the Lindsey Hotel, a hostel described as a shelter for the homeless, on Lindsey Street, EC1, near the Smithfield meat market, where he had been staying since October 2008. Before that, he had experienced long periods of homelessness.

His friends told reporters that he was a keen Millwall F.C. fan. He can be seen wearing a Millwall football shirt on the day of his death.

Metropolitan and City of London police

Main articles: Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police, and Territorial Support Group

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS or the Met), the largest police force in the UK, is responsible for policing Greater London. The Met is also known as "Scotland Yard" after the location of its original headquarters. The current commissioner is Sir Paul Stephenson. The only area of Greater London the Met is not responsible for is the financial district, the City of London, which is the responsibility of the City of London Police, the smallest police force in England and Wales. Its current commissioner is Mike Bowron. When the Met is involved in policing the City — during incidents such as the G-20 summit protests — it operates under the nominal authority of the City of London Police. Responsibility for supervising the Met falls to the Metropolitan Police Authority, chaired by London's mayor, currently Boris Johnson.

The officer seen pushing Tomlinson on The Guardian's video is a police constable with the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG or CO20). They can be identified by the "U" on their shoulder numbers, and are reportedly known as the "tough guys and gals" of the Met, specialising in the policing of public disorder. The Daily Telegraph writes that officers wear so-called "NATO" helmets, flame-retardant overalls, stab vests, gloves, balaclavas, and boots, and carry batons, pepper spray, and handcuffs. They are also authorised to use Tasers. Specially trained officers sometimes carry handguns or Heckler & Koch MP5s, whereas most police officers in Britain are unarmed. The operational commander of the TSG as of March 9, 2009 is Chief Superintendent Mick Johnson. The TSG are the successor to the Special Patrol Group. In April 1979 during a demonstration in Southall by the Anti-Nazi League against a National Front election meeting taking place in the town hall. Blair Peach was knocked unconscious and died the next day in hospital. Police brutality was never proven to be a contributory factor in his death, but it was claimed that he had fallen to a blow from a rubberised police radio belonging to the Metropolitan Police's Special Patrol Group.

IPCC

Main article: Independent Police Complaints Commission

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was created by the Police Reform Act 2002, and began to operate on 1 April, 2004. It replaced the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) following public dissatisfaction with the latter's relationship with the police. Unlike the PCA, the IPCC operates independently of the Home Office, which regulates the police. IPCC investigators are not police officers, though they have been given the powers of the police. The IPCC refers to itself as "most powerful civilian oversight body in the world." Its current chair is Nick Hardwick.

The incident

Tomlinson's route

A police cordon during the G-20 summit protests. Thousands of protesters had been "kettled" by cordons as Tomlinson was trying to make his way home.

Press reports indicate that Tomlinson did not take part in the G-20 protests, but was walking across London's financial district during the protests on 1 April, attempting to get back to the Lindsey Hotel, Smithfield after work. He was wearing a Millwall football shirt and tracksuit trousers. The route he took was apparently his normal route home from a newspaper stand on Fish Street Hill outside Monument tube station, where he worked with a friend, Barry Smith. It brought him into contact with police cordons created as part of Operation Glencoe, the police operation to prevent public disorder during the G20 summit.

6:07 pm: First alleged encounter with police

Barry Smith says Tomlinson left the stand at around 7 pm. This image published by the Daily Mail shows Tomlinson standing in front of a police van at 6:07 pm, according to the newspaper. The Mail writes that an eyewitness, an IT worker, said Tomlinson was drunk and was refusing to move. He was reportedly "manhandled" out of the way by four riot officers. The Mail has published this image of him apparently being pushed by the police at 6:09 pm.

The Times writes that Tomlinson walked up King William Hill towards the Bank of England. At the junction with Lombard Street, there were two lines of police in riot gear, who had "kettled" (contained by cordons) thousands of G-20 Meltdown protesters who were in an area around the bank.

Tomlinson tried to find another route home. By 7:10 pm, according to The Times, he had reached Cornhill. Five minutes later, he was at the northern end of Royal Exchange Buildings, near the junction with Threadneedle Street, where another police cordon stopped him from proceeding. He turned to walk south instead along Royal Exchange, a pedestrian precinct, where minutes before he arrived four police officers had clashed with 20–25 protesters. MPS riot police and City of London police dog handlers had moved into Royal Exchange Buildings from the cordon in Threadneedle Street to help their colleagues.

First alleged assault

An eyewitness, Anna Branthwaite, told The Times that, as Tomlinson passed the statue of George Peabody, a police officer "rushed forward" and grabbed Tomlinson from behind with his left hand:

"He grabbed his back and charged him and threw him forward. Ian landed on his left side and bounced because of the force of the impact. He looked absolutely petrified. Clearly had no idea what was happening."

She said the officer then struck Tomlinson with his baton twice, either on the torso or the upper legs.

"Ian was scrambling to get up and was half up when the same police officer grabbed him again and threw him forward. He took a couple of steps forward, stumbling, and started trying to run away. He was in total shock."

The Times writes that Tomlinson continued walking along Royal Exchange Buildings. The newspaper writes that he was filmed "stumbling and swaying with his hands buried in his trouser pockets." Police officers are reported to have followed him as he walked 50 yards along the street.

7:20 pm: Second alleged assault

A still from the Guardian video shows Tomlinson in the moment before he was struck, with an officer behind him holding a baton.
Tomlinson as he fell.

The Times writes that video footage obtained by The Guardian shows the same group of officers approach Tomlinson again, possibly as much as 15 minutes later, outside a Montblanc store at the southern end of Royal Exchange Buildings.

The video, passed to The Guardian at 2 am on 7 April by an investment fund manager from New York who was in London on business, shows Tomlinson walking slowly with his hands in his pockets. Several police officers in riot gear with dogs are walking closely behind him. An eyewitness, Alan Edwards, says Tomlinson was saying, "I want to go home. I live down there. I'm trying to get home." The witness said Tomlinson was obeying police orders to move in the direction he was going.

The footage shows one officer appear to lunge at Tomlinson from behind, then strike him across the legs with a baton the officer was holding in his left hand. The same officer then appears to push Tomlinson's back, causing him to fall.

On April 8, Channel 4 News released more footage of the same scene, which shows the officer striking out at Tomlinson from a different angle. The video shows the officer's arm swing back fully to head height before bringing it downwards to hit Tomlinson on the legs.

7:25 pm: Tomlinson's collapse

Tomlinson briefly remonstrates with police after being pushed, as two members of the public help him.

Tomlinson can be seen briefly remonstrating with police as he sat on the ground. After being helped to his feet by a protester, Alan Edwards, he walked 200 feet to Cornhill, opposite St Michael's Alley, where he collapsed at around 7:25 pm outside the Co-operative Bank. Witnesses say he had been stumbling, appeared dazed, his eyes were rolling, and his skin was deathly grey. They also said he smelled of alcohol.

An ITV News photographer went to give medical aid, but was forced away by police, as was Lucy Apps, a third-year medical student. Daniel McPhee, a social support worker, told The Daily Telegraph that he was one of the first on the scene, and that he dialled 999. At that point, Tomlinson was reportedly still breathing. The ambulance operator told McPhee to put Tomlinson on his back, McPhee says. Then a group of riot police surrounded Tomlinson. The operator asked to speak to the police. McPhee says the police ignored the request. Police medics then attended to Tomlinson, who was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.

The officer in the video

The officer in question and three colleagues from the Met are reported to have made themselves known to a manager, then to the IPCC, on 8 April, the day after The Guardian published its video evidence.

The officer seen striking Tomlinson is a police constable with the Territorial Support Group (TSG), reportedly based at Larkhall Lane police station in Lambeth, South London. The Guardian alleges that he may have removed his shoulder number and covered his face with a balaclava before hitting Tomlinson. The Daily Mail writes that this image indicates that the officer's shoulder ID was missing. The Mail on Sunday writes that TSG officers have been known to swap shoulder IDs, so that they can claim, if accused of wrongdoing, that their unit was elsewhere at the time, and that it must be a case of mistaken identity.

The officer was suspended on 9 April, but as of 10 April had not been arrested, charged, or formally interviewed.

Several newspapers have reported the officer collapsed when he learned what had happened, though their accounts differ. The Independent on Sunday reports that the officer passed out when told at home that Tomlinson had died. The Mail on Sunday writes that he collapsed when told the incident had been filmed. According to the Sunday Mirror, the officer did not realize he was the man who had pushed Tomlinson until he saw The Guardian video on television on Wednesday, April 8, at which point he telephoned the Met to tell them. The Mirror writes that he then collapsed and was taken with a suspected heart attack to a hospital in Sussex, though he was released the next day. The Metropolitan Police Federation has said the officer has been signed off work as sick, which may cause a delay in interviewing him.

IPCC criminal inquiry

The IPCC removed the Tomlinson inquiry from the City of London police on April 8, after publication of The Guardian video. IPCC investigators are not police officers. The IPCC told Channel 4 News on 9 April that there is still minor involvement from City of London police, though only to preserve continuity until IPCC investigators are up to speed.

Inquest and autopsies

The IPCC told reporters that the first postmortem, conducted by Dr Freddy Patel, concluded that Tomlinson had died of a heart attack. The IPCC said the autopsy showed Tomlinson did not have bruises or scratches on his head or shoulders, but did not say whether there were injuries elsewhere on his body.

Patel is on a Home Office register of accredited forensic pathologists. The Guardian writes that he was reprimanded by the General Medical Council in 1999, after releasing to reporters medical details about Roger Sylvester, a black man who had died in police custody. Patel told reporters that Sylvester was a crack cocaine user, something his family denied. In 2002, the newspaper writes, the police dropped a criminal inquiry because Patel said the victim, Sally White, had died of a heart attack, with no signs of violence, though she was reportedly found naked with bruising to her body, an injury to her head, and a bite mark on her thigh. Anthony Hardy, a mentally ill alcoholic who lived in the flat in which her body was found locked in a bedroom, later murdered two women and placed their body parts in bin bags.

David Howarth, justice spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, has asked how Patel was chosen as the pathologist. An unnamed source told The Guardian that a suspicious death within London would normally be referred to the Forensic Pathology Services. Patel responded to The Guardian's criticism by saying the GMC reprimand was a long time ago, and that his findings in the Sally White case were not contested.

An inquest opened on 9 April, and a second postmortem, ordered jointly by the IPCC and Tomlinson's family, was carried out that day by Dr. Nathaniel Carey, described by The Times as one of Britain's most eminent forensic pathologists. The coroner in the case is the City of London coroner, Paul Matthews.

The Guardian writes that Carey was asked to focus on whether Tomlinson had been bitten by a police dog, or had injuries consistent with being hit by a baton. He also looked for neurological injuries. Carey's report has been passed to the IPCC and the family, but no details had been released as of April 11.

How the story emerged

How the story emerged
1–22 April 20091 April: Tomlinson dies around 19:30.

1 April: At 23:36, the Met says protesters
attacked them while police fought to save him.

2 April: Newspapers lead with that angle.
City of London placed in charge of case.

3 April: Three constables say they saw
Tomlinson pushed by officer;
Met tells City of London police.

3 April: 1st autopsy: heart attack.

3 April: Guardian tells City of London police
it has pics of Tomlinson at feet of riot police.

4 April: City of London police say Tomlinson
died of natural causes.

5 April: Guardian publishes photos and
testimony that Tomlinson was hit by police.

5 April: IPCC says Guardian has upset
the family. Tells journalists there is
"nothing in the story".

6 April: IPCC confirms Tomlinson had
contact with police; appeals for witnesses.

7 April: Guardian publishes video showing
Tomlinson hit by officer.

8 April: IPCC removes police from inquiry.

9 April: IPCC suspends officer.
2nd autopsy: abdominal haemorrhage.
IPCC says no CCTV cameras near assault.

14 April: Evening Standard finds CCTV
cameras near the assault.

17 April: Officer questioned on suspicion
of manslaughter.

22 April: 3rd autopsy: abdominal haemorrhage.

April 1-4: Initial police reports

The Met issued its first statement on 1 April at 23:36 pm, around four hours after Tomlinson's death. It said that police had been alerted that a man had collapsed, and were attacked by "a number of missiles" as they tried to save his life:

"A member of the public went to a police officer on a cordon in Birchin Lane, junction with Cornhill to say that there was a man who had collapsed round the corner.

"That officer sent two police medics through the cordon line and into St Michaels Alley where they found a man who had stopped breathing. They called for LAS support at about 1930.

"The officers gave him an initial check and cleared his airway before moving him back behind the cordon line to a clear area outside the Royal Exchange Building where they gave him CPR.

"The officers took the decision to move him as during this time a number of missiles - believed to be bottles - were being thrown at them.

"LAS took the man to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

From 2 April over the next few days, the IPCC told journalists that Tomlinson's family had expressed concerns about his health, and were "not surprised to hear what had happened." When journalists asked whether Tomlinson had had any contact with police officers before his death, they were told the speculation would "upset the family."

Even after being told by The Guardian on 3 April that they had obtained a photograph of Tomlinson lying at the feet of riot police (not published until 5 April), the City of London Police issued a statement on 4 April:

A post-mortem examination ... found he died of natural causes. suffered a sudden heart attack while on his way home from work. The family thanked all the people who rushed to Ian's aid when he collapsed and said how grateful they are for all the efforts made to help.

Initial newspaper reports

The Evening Standard reported that police had battled to save the life of a "heart attack victim," but had been hindered by protesters.

In accordance with police briefings, the Evening Standard, London's evening newspaper, reported on 2 April that, "police were bombarded with bricks, bottles and planks of wood" as they assisted Tomlinson. The web edition of the story was later changed, but still stated:

"Today it emerged that police had come under a barrage of missiles as they tried to save the life of a man who collapsed during a protest near the Bank of England last night.

"The officers were hit by bottles thrown from the crowd and were forced to carry the man to a safe location to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. An ambulance crew then took the man to hospital, where he died.

"An independent investigation has been ordered into the death of the man, who was in his forties. He had been found slumped in an alley off Cornhill after suffering a suspected heart attack. Police are investigating reports that he was an innocent by-stander who got caught up in the trouble."

The newspaper went on to report, "A witness claimed that protesters came to the aid of the man, and that just a few plastic bottles were thrown by people further back in the crowd who did not realise what was happening.

Initial eyewitness accounts

According to eyewitnesses, reports of missiles raining down while police tried to assist are "completely false." Witnesses say it was protesters, not police, who provided the initial first aid, and who telephoned for medical help, as well as requesting it with a megaphone. "The only attitude of people in the crowd was to help this guy," one eyewitness said.

Fran Legg, a politics student at Queen Mary, University of London, told The Evening Standard that it was a friend of hers who put Tomlinson in the recovery position. She said that around eight riot police arrived on the scene with police medics, who stood around Tomlinson. The Standard reported that, "by the time police medics took over from her friend, the man had fallen unconscious."

Witnesses stated that one or two plastic bottles were thrown by people who were unaware of Tomlinson's situation, but other protesters told them to stop. The Times wrote that an analysis of television footage and photographs showed just one bottle, that was probably plastic, being thrown in the area. Eyewitness Jasper Jackson, who photographed Tomlinson just before the man collapsed, said, "There were a couple of people throwing bottles in the direction. A bottle smashed near a Starbucks. Protesters told them to stop it. In fact they were threatening to kill other protesters if they did anything to disrupt the treatment."

April 7: Guardian video

The Guardian video showing the second assault on Tomlinson was shot on a digital camera by an investment fund manager from New York, visiting London on business, who said he attended the protests out of curiosity. The man, who has asked not to be named, told The Guardian:

"Around 7.20pm or so, the riot police began kettling the crowd away from the Bank station and the crowd began to panic as the police lines closed in. Then the dogs were brought in. I spotted Mr Tomlinson wandering around Royal Exchange very close to the police line with the dogs, hands in his pockets. He appeared to be only an observer.

"It was then, when Mr Tomlinson's back was turned to the police line, that a masked riot officer forcibly threw Mr Tomlinson to the ground from behind. With his hands in his pockets, his ability to break his fall was limited. Although he did get his hands out in time, I believe he hit the top of his head on the pavement. This is all captured on the video."

At first, he did not understand the significance of what he had filmed. It was only after several days, on his way to Heathrow airport, that he realised the man he had filmed being assaulted was the same man reported as having died of a heart attack. At that point, at 2 am on April 7, he passed his footage to The Guardian, which published it that afternoon, then gave a copy to the IPCC.

April 8: Channel 4/Ken McCallum video

A second video of the assault was published shortly after the Guardian's, this one taken by Channel 4 News. Shot from a different angle, the footage shows the officer who hit Tomlinson draw his left arm back fully to head height before bringing the baton down on Tomlinson's legs.

Alex Thomson, chief correspondent of Channel 4 News, who was present at the time, writes that Ken McCallum, the Channel 4 cameraman, was filming another incident, where three bankers appeared to be provoking the crowd. In the background, unseen by the journalists but recorded by the camera, Ian Tomlinson was being assaulted. Half an hour later, Thomson was doing a live broadcast, when something happened that caused the camera to be broken; he won't say what, as the incident is apparently being investigated by police and lawyers. It look engineers several days to recover the tape, which is when they saw that Tomlinson's assault was on it. Channel 4 broadcast it on April 8.

April 9: Nabeela Zahir video

On 9 April, The Guardian published new video shot by Nabeela Zahir, a freelance journalist. The footage shows the immediate aftermath of the incident, with Tomlinson on the ground, almost hidden by members of the public and the police. The police can be seen moving away at least one woman who tried to help him, and a man, Daniel McPhee, who was on the phone to the ambulance services.

The Guardian writes that there is no evidence of the "barrage of missiles" reported on 2 April by the Evening Standard after police briefings. One protester shouts, "There is someone hurt here. Back the fuck up." Another voice in the crowd says, "There's someone hurt. Don't throw anything." This indicates that something may have been thrown, but no "barrage of missiles," and the police officers around Tomlinson were not affected by whatever it was.

The newspaper also writes that, 56 seconds into the video, three officers can be seen with their face masks pulled halfway up their faces.

April 14: Existence of CCTV cameras confirmed

Interviewed on April 9 by Channel 4 News, Nick Hardwick, the chair of the IPCC, said there were no CCTV images of the assault on Tomlinson, because there were no CCTV cameras in the area. He said: "We don't have CCTV footage of the incident... there is no CCTV footage, there were no cameras in the location where he was assaulted.

On April 14, the Evening Standard wrote that it had discovered at least six CCTV cameras in the area around the assault. At 10:30 am, after photographs of the cameras were published, the IPPC reversed its position and said its investigators were looking at footage recovered from cameras in Threadneedle Street near the corner of Royal Exchange Passage, where Tomlinson was assaulted. An IPCC spokesperson, Deborah Glass, said, "At this point, Mr Hardwick believed that he was correct in this assertion — we now know this may not be accurate. There are cameras in the surrounding area."

Allegations of obstructing journalists

The Guardian reports that the IPCC and police may have sought to obstruct the newspaper's initial enquiries into Tomlinson's death. Investigators agree that speed is of the essence in such enquiries, in order to make sure evidence does not disappear. The Guardian reports that the London Metropolitan police delayed the announcement of Tomlinson's death by three hours, while blaming protesters for having attacked them with bottles while officers were trying to save his life. The police now refuse to say where that information came from, according to The Guardian.

The IPCC announced that the investigation would be handled by the City of London Police. Journalists were told that Tomlinson's family had expressed concern about his health, and were "not surprised" to hear what had happened to him. The Guardian says this was used to guide the way newspapers reported the death. When journalists asked whether police officers had had any contact with Tomlinson before he died, they were asked not to speculate, because it "upset the family." When reporters asked police if they could make direct contact with the family, they were refused. The police issued a statement on the family's behalf instead, which said, "The police are keeping us informed of any developments."

The police did not tell the family that, on 3 April, The Guardian had obtained photographs of Tomlinson after the second alleged assault, sitting on the ground surrounded by riot police. The next day, the results of the autopsy were released, concluding that Tomlinson had died of natural causes. Reporters who approached the coroner directly were met with a refusal to comment. Police refused to say whether the autopsy had revealed any marks on Tomlinson's head or body from a baton blow. The Guardian published its image of Tomlinson on the ground on Sunday, 5 April.

That morning, Tomlinson's family attended the scene of his death, where they met a Guardian reporter. They were reportedly happy with the publication of the image. They wanted to know more, according to the newspaper, and gave the reporter their contact details. The family's police liason officer later approached the newspaper to say he was "extremely unhappy" that the reporter had spoken to the family, and that the newspaper had to stay away from them for 48 hours. The IPCC separately accused the newspaper of "doorstepping the family at a time of grief." On the same day, the IPCC briefed journalists from other newspapers that "there was nothing in the story" that Tomlinson might have been assaulted by police before his death."

On Tuesday, 7 April, The Guardian published on its website the video of the alleged second assault on Tomlinson, and later that evening handed evidence to an IPCC investigator and a City of London police officer who had arrived at the newspaper's offices. In a statement issued on April 8, the IPCC said it was not aware of the video until they heard it had been published on the Guardian website, at which point they asked for and were given the footage.

The officers requested the removal of the video from the website, arguing that it was "jeopardising" their inquiry and was not helpful to the family. The family later thanked the newspaper for having published it. It was only after publication of the video on 7 April that the IPCC announced, on 8 April, that the City of London police would no longer be involved in the investigation.

Nick Hardwick, chair of the IPCC, told Channel 4 News that the IPCC had requested The Guardian remove its video from its website only because it would have been better had witnesses not seen it before being questioned. There was no attempt to hinder The Guardian's inquiries, he said.

Criticism of the police and IPCC

Delay in removing police from the inquiry

The IPCC has been criticised for taking seven days from Tomlinson's death, and five days after hearing evidence that police may have been involved, formally to remove the City of London police from the investigation. Nick Hardwick told Channel 4 News on 9 April that the IPCC first obtained eyewitness allegations of Metropolitan Police Service involvement in Tomlinson's death on 3 April. City of London police continued to be formally involved in the investigation until 8 April, the day after The Guardian published the New York investment manager's video on its website.

Hardwick defended the IPCC's actions, arguing that, because Tomlinson's death became the focus of a criminal inquiry, the IPCC had to be meticulous in the way it proceeded, which precluded them from acting as fast as journalists were able to.

Tristan Woodwards video

On 14 April, newspapers published video taken during a vigil for Tomlinson on 2 April outside the Bank of England, near the spot where he died. One officer, a sergeant with the Territorial Support Group, is seen slapping a woman across the face while she argued with him, then striking her legs with his baton. The Guardian writes that the officer's badge number was concealed. The footage was shot by Tristan Woodwards, who uploaded it to YouTube on 8 April.

The IPCC has said it will investigate. The officer has been suspended.

Previous criticism of the IPCC

The IPCC has recently been criticised on several fronts for not being responsive enough to public concerns about the police.

In February 2008, over 100 lawyers who specialise in police complaints resigned from the IPCC's advisory body, citing a failure of provide adequate oversight; a "pattern of favouritism" towards the police with complaints being turned down despite strong evidence; indifference and rudeness towards complainants; delays stretching over several years in some cases; and key decisions being made by managers with little or no legal training or relevant experience. They wrote to Nick Hardwick that there was "increasing dismay and disillusionment" at the "consistently poor quality of decision-making at all levels of the IPCC." Hardwick responded to the criticism in a letter to The Guardian.

See also

References

  1. ^ Rayner, Gordon and Swaine, Jon. G20 death: Ian Tomlinson's final moments, The Daily Telegraph, 9 April, 2009.
  2. ^ Ian Tomlinson death: Police officer comes forward to IPCC, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  3. Lewis, Paul. Ian Tomlinson death: Guardian video reveals police attack on man who died at G20 protest, The Guardian, 7 April, 2009.
  4. ^ Dodd, Vikram. Ian Tomlinson death: IPCC takes over inquiry from G20 protests police force, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  5. Margaronis, Maria. Caught: Ian Tomlinson Assaulted by UK Police, The Nation, April 12, 2009.
  6. Riddoch, Lesley. Sousveillance means we watch the watchers The Scotsman, 13 April, 2009.
  7. ^ Booth, Robert. Friends of G20 protests victim shocked by loss of 'lovable man', The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  8. Swaine, Jon. G20 death: Police gave Ian Tomlinson a 'good beating', says his father, The Daily Telegraph, April 10, 2009.
  9. ^ G20 man: Homeless alcoholic 'who wouldn't harm a fly', Daily Mail, April 9, 2009.
  10. Howe, Ronald. The Rise of Scotland Yard, 1965.
  11. Swaine, Jon. G20 death: what is the Metropolitan Police's Territorial Support Group?, April 9, 2009.
  12. Waldren, Michael J. The Police Use of Firearms since 1945. Sutton, 2007, p. 224.
  13. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10560632
  14. ^ Laville, Sandra and Lewis, Paul. G20 assault: how Metropolitan police tried to manage a death, The Guardian, 9 April, 2009.
  15. ^ Guru-Murthy, Krishnan. IPCC: CCTV wasn't working, interview with Nick Hardwick, IPCC, Channel 4 News, 9 April, 2009.
  16. ^ Brown, David. Ian Tomlinson: 'See you tomorrow, Barry, if I’m still living and breathing', The Times, 9 April, 2009.
  17. ^ O'Neill, Sean. Metropolitan police chiefs ordered to justify tactics at G20 protests, The Times, April 11, 2009.
  18. ^ Gill, Charlotte. Brother of man who collapsed at G20 protests died of heart attack at same age, Daily Mail, April 10, 2009.
  19. Lewis, Paul. The helper: Ian Tomlinson was obeying police orders, says G20 protester, The Guardian, 9 April, 2009.
  20. Ian Tomlinson death: New video footage from G20 protests gives fresh angle on attack, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  21. Kearney, Martha. G20 Protest - Ian Tomlinson Death - Lucy Apps Witness Statement on BBC Radio 4 News, BBC Radio 4 News, 9 April, 2009.
  22. Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. G20: Police question witness to alleged assault on man who died during protests, The Guardian, 6 April, 2009.
  23. Dodd, Vikram, and Lewis, Paul. G20 death: Police officer suspended, The Guardian, 9 April, 2009.
  24. ^ Delgado, Martin and Powell, Laura. Officer in G20 protest death of Ian Tomlinson signs off sick. The Mail on Sunday, April 12, 2009.
  25. Lewis, Paul and Laville, Sandra. G20 death: Met police officer breaks cover, The Guardian, 9 April, 2009.
  26. ^ Fresco, Adam and O'Neill, Sean. Officer suspended in investigation into G20 death of Ian Tomlinson, The Times, 10 April, 2009.
  27. Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. Ian Tomlinson death: G20 riot officer in footage has not been interviewed, The Guardian, 10 April, 2009.
  28. Randall, David. The man who was trying to get home, The Independent on Sunday, April 12, 2009.
  29. G20 cop who hit Ian Tomlinson 'has a heart attack', Sunday Mirror, April 11, 2009.
  30. Osley, Richard. Inquest dismissed signs of violence, Camden New Journal, November 27, 2003.
  31. ^ Lewis, Paul. Pathologist in Ian Tomlinson G20 death case was reprimanded over conduct. The Guardian, April 11, 2009.
  32. Lewis, Paul and Dodd, Vikram. Ian Tomlinson death: G20 riot officer in footage has not been interviewed, The Guardian, 10 April, 2009 (updated).
  33. G20 fatality: How police view of Ian Tomlinson death changed, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  34. Judd, Terry. New evidence of police attacks on G20 victim, The Independent, 9 April, 2009.
  35. Davenport, Justin. Police pelted with bricks as they help dying man, The Evening Standard, 2 April, 2009, accessed April 8, 2009.
  36. ^ Davenport, Justin and Brierley, Danny. Ring of steel keeps demos away from world leaders, The Evening Standard]], 2 April, 2009; accessed April 8, 2009.
  37. ^ Witness Statement About G20 Death, Indymedia London.
  38. Lewis, Paul; Williams, Rachel; and Jones, Sam. Police name man who died at G20 protest, The Guardian, 2 April, 2009, accessed 3 April, 2009.
  39. ^ Lewis, Paul. Man who filmed Ian Tomlinson G20 attack backs investigation, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  40. Channel 4 footage showing the same incident from a different angle, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  41. Thomson, Alex. Truth behind Tomlinson footage, Channel 4 News, April 13, 2009.
  42. ^ Lewis, Paul and Walker, Peter. New G20 video compounds doubts over police account of Ian Tomlinson's death, The Guardian, 9 April, 2009.
  43. Dominiczak, Peter; Proctor, Lucy; and Randhawa, Kiran. We were wrong over CCTV, says police watchdog, Evening Standard, April 14, 2009, accessed April 14, 2009.
  44. Lewis, Paul. Police watchdog chief wrong to say no CCTV in area of Ian Tomlinson assault, The Guardian, April 14, 2009.
  45. Full statement from the IPCC on the investigation into the death of Ian Tomlinson, The Guardian, April 8, 2009.
  46. Woodwards, Tristan. G20 April 2, 2009, alleged assault begins at circa 3 minutes, 49 seconds.
  47. ^ Lewis, Paul. Metropolitan police officer suspended over attack at G20 death vigil, The Guardian, April 15, 2009, accessed April 15, 2009.
  48. Davies, Nick. Crisis at police watchdog as lawyers resign, The Guardian, February 25 2008.
  49. Hardwick, Nick. Yes, we are independent - and we've cut down delays too, The Guardian, February 27, 2009.

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