The footage has sparked a huge backlash and widespread concern after it emerged yesterday
A protest is set to take place outside Andy Burnham's offices this evening after a video emerged of a Greater Manchester Police officer kicking a man in the head during an arrest at Manchester Airport.
Footage was widely shared on social media showing a GMP officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man who was lying face down on the floor of a car park at the airport's Terminal 2.
Police said three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female officer who suffered a broken nose. Four men were arrested at the scene.
Police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating. One officer has since been suspended from all duties by the force.
A lawyer representing two brothers shown in the video today said that one of them, 19 year-old Muhammed Fahir Ammaz and from Rochdale, was in hospital being treated for a 'cyst on his brain.' Akhmed Yakoob said the men's brother was himself a serving officer at GMP but who was now 'afraid to go into work.'
Last night (Wednesday), around 200 people gathered for a protest outside Rochdale police station, with some chanting 'GMP shame on you'. Today (July 25), another demonstration is set to take place on Oxford Street in Manchester city centre.
According to the organisation Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism, demonstrators will gather outside the offices of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Mr Burnham, whose role includes overseeing GMP, at 6pm. A spokesperson for the organisation said: "There is no possible justification whatsoever for this vicious attack upon young men and their families."
In a statement issued this morning, 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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