The video of a police officer kicking and stamping on a man’s head in Manchester airport is not ‘clear cut’, the mayor has said.
Andy Burnham has said the investigation is ‘fast moving and complicated’ and has asked for protestors to calm down following rallies in the city centre yesterday.
Footage of an armed officer appearing to kick a man in the head while he was lying on the ground emerged on Tuesday.
Greater Manchester Police has confirmed an officer has been suspended and has referred itself to the police watchdog.
Mr Burnham told the BBC: ‘I would ask for calm because what I can assure people is that the right and proper steps have been taken in the right way.
‘There are issues for both sides, but that said, it is right the officer has been suspended.’
The man who was kicked has a cyst on his brain, a lawyer for the damily confirmed.
Ahmed Yakoob spoke outside Rochdale Police Station saying cyst was discovered after the man, named as Fahir, had a CT scan following the incident.
He added Fahir’s condition had worsened overnight and he was ‘fighting for his life’.
Fahir, his brother Amaad and their elderly mother are all claiming they were assaulted by at least one officer at the airport.
Mr Yakoob said the family are ‘traumatised’, and Fahir’s older brother even works as an officer with Greater Manchester Police.
He said: ‘He went in today and spoke to his supervisor, and the only reason he is not going to work is because he is fearing for his own safety.’
Paul Waugh, the newly elected MP for Rochdale, said the relatives told him in a meeting today that they were determined to get justice.
Mr Waugh said: ‘This is a hardworking Rochdale family, some of whose members are police officers themselves and are therefore particularly shocked at what they have witnessed.’
Central Manchester was briefly brought to a standstill yesterday evening by protesters who blocked roads and tram lines.
GMP said: ‘Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.
‘A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation.
‘We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place.’
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