Innocent Man Suffers Fatal Heart Attack after Assault by Metropolitan Police

Rakka · 04-07-2009, 07:49 PM

A man who died during the G20 protest was pushed to the ground by a police officer, video footage has shown.

(VIDEO FOOTAGE AT http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/7988828.stm)

Ian Tomlinson, 47, collapsed from a heart attack during protests outside the Bank of England last Wednesday.

Newsagent Mr Tomlinson, who was not protesting, is seen receiving a two-handed push from a police officer.

A New York fund manager recorded the footage, saying he came forward with the video because Mr Tomlinson's family "were not getting any answers".

The pictures were shot at 1929 BST at Royal Exchange Passage. They are believed to be the last of Mr Tomlinson alive.

Mr Tomlinson's family have appealed for witnesses

Initially, the pictures show Mr Tomlinson walking away from a group of police officers.

He lands heavily on the ground before remonstrating with police.

Daniel Sandford, BBC Home Affairs correspondent, said: "Campaigners have been saying all along that Mr Tomlinson's heart attack may have, in some way, been linked to how the police were treating protesters that evening.

"This is now going to raise some more serious questions about the police behaviour on that night.

"Why is it that one of the officers walks up to a man who appears to be walking away from him. He [Mr Tomlinson] does not look like he is 100% co-operative but he is not being uncooperative."

The Guardian newspaper obtained the footage and it plans to hand the video to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

An IPCC spokeswoman said: "The IPCC has been made aware of the footage broadcast on a national newspaper's website. We are now attempting to recover this evidence. We will be assessing this along with the other statements and photographs that have already been submitted."

Earlier, Mr Tomlinson's family made an appeal for witnesses.

A statement from the family said: "Ian was a massive football fan and would have looked distinctive in his Millwall top. He was probably on his way back from work to watch the England match and got caught up in the crowds."

Source: BBC News

Gabriel · 04-07-2009, 08:12 PM

He was pushed to the ground.

Not beaten, not assaulted, not viciously attacked in any manner. It happens every day, in every country. Good luck finding a reputable cardiologist to testify against the police.

Rakka · 04-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel

He was pushed to the ground.

Why was he pushed to the ground (the part about the baton to the back of the leg is so far unproven)

That's the main question

SelfMedicated · 04-07-2009, 08:50 PM

Well they only show just a few moments leading up to the push so I don't know what happened. The thing is he looks older and frail, even if he had been yelling moments before they had no right to push him down. Seems like he was minding his own business though, just walking hands in his pockets, you would have to be a real tool to hit someone with a baton and push them like that.

Gabriel · 04-08-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakka

Why was he pushed to the ground (the part about the baton to the back of the leg is so far unproven)

That's the main question

And as long as you have that question you can't say it's police brutality or that the police killed him.

Tony_Est.1989 · 04-08-2009, 12:12 AM

I bet the 'police officer' in question is regretting doing that now. I bet he didn't even think somebody was recording the whole thing.. I hope he is sacked immediately.

From what I saw he looked pretty ordinary, If anybody says he looked 'violent' then they clearly need a trip to Specsavers. Instead of dealing with the real problems [which we saw outside the bank of England moments later] instead of pushing innocents around like they couldn't give a shiate then maybe he would still be alive. Like has been said though... there is no real evidence the event sparked the whole heart attack thing anyway, But I would assume so.

Unknown Soldier · 04-08-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

He [Mr Tomlinson] does not look like he is 100% co-operative but he is not being uncooperative.

If he isn't 100% cooperative than he is being uncooperative.

Him being pushed didn't cause a heart attack. He probably brought the heart attack on himself by years of smoking, bad diet, drinking and lack of exercise or any number of reasons but to try to blame it on the police is sheer folly.

Watch out people Police brutality lurking everywhere!....

**Hudson** · 04-08-2009, 06:10 AM

It takes a big man to push someone in the back. At the risk of sounding cliched, **** the police,they're all the same everywhere, jackbooted g men who think they're gods gift.

If there is any charges that can be brought they'll be covered up or swept under the rug, the British police are good at fabricating cases anyway. So I'm sure by the end of this they'll have us thinking he deserved it.

Unknown Soldier · 04-08-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hudson

It takes a big man to push someone in the back. At the risk of sounding cliched, **** the police,they're all the same everywhere, jackbooted g men who think they're gods gift.

If there is any charges that can be brought they'll be covered up or swept under the rug, the British police are good at fabricating cases anyway. So I'm sure by the end of this they'll have us thinking he deserved it.

Yo Huddy... have you ever any dealings with the Police in REAL LIFE or is it restricted to what you read or post in a forums?

**Cat** · 04-08-2009, 06:33 AM

Watched the footage on the news this morning. Looking at what's shown it does appear the guy was walking along on his own when he was pushed. But.........what were the events prior to the push? Why did the police target him given the fact he seems to be alone and fairly quiet? What route did he normally take to get home from work? Could be like a lot of us he was being curious about what was going on, but frankly if it had been me my priority would be to get home as quickly as possible before the scruffy bastards start kicking off again.

Nobody knows for certain that push brought on his heart attack, but if it is proven then I'm all for the police officer in question being charged.

Lol they should have brought out the riot police and horses early. Battered the living daylights out of those protesters then maybe guys like the one who dropped dead wouldn't have been inconvenienced. Make me Met Commissioner please!!!!