G20 BOBBY BARKING MAD the AA grumpy column
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:28 am
hello and happy easter the easter bunnies been i know because theres rabbit sh*t on the lawn the suns shining and the car boots open what could be better .
well a dark cloud still hangs over G20.
THE baton-wielding police-man who struck Ian *Tomlinson moments before he died at the G20 *protests claims he was “protecting” the man from a dog.
The suggestion that Tomlinson put himself in danger by ignoring police warnings has provoked outrage from G20 protestors.
The unnamed officer came forward last week after being caught on camera hitting the 47-year-old newspaper seller with a baton, then pushing him to the ground.
Moments later the dad-of-nine, who was not involved in the protests but was trying to walk home, collapsed in the street and died of a heart attack.
Photos and video footage show the policeman’s lower face was hidden by a balaclava and he appeared to have his shoulder ID number missing.
Mr Tomlinson was seen to be slowly walking away from a line of riot police and dog handlers with his hands in his pockets and his back turned when the officer struck.
The officer has been suspended from duties pending an investigation by the Independent Police *Complaints Commission.
Chairman Nick Hardwick has warned “someone may face very *serious criminal charges” over the incident.
But according to police insiders, the officer’s defence will be that he pushed Mr Tomlinson to prevent him from being attacked by police dogs.
The source said: “The defence claims Mr Tomlinson put himself in danger by deliberately walking slowly in front of several police dogs.
“The officer claims Tomlinson had appeared to ignore warnings to get out of the way and the officer feared he could be bitten. He says he pushed him for his own safety.”
Yesterday, Mr Tomlinson’s family urged the complaints commission to take strong action against the officer.
Speaking on behalf of relatives, Mr Tomlinson’s stepson Paul King said it had been painful to watch footage of the “violent assault”.
He said: “Ian was a much-loved and warm-hearted man. We are still coming to terms with his tragic death under such tragic circumstances.
“We are hopeful the commission will fulfil their duty to carry out a full investigation into his death and action will be taken against any police officer who contributed to Ian’s death through misconduct. The developments of the past week, particularly the footage shown of Ian suffering a violent assault from police, have been painful to watch.”
Mr King, 26, of East London, was speaking before a march by protesters through London to lay flowers at the site of Mr Tomlinson’s death.
Hundreds dressed in black and *carrying banners gathered at Bethnal Green police station to march in silence to the Bank of England.
And last night protesters reacted angrily to the police officer’s expected defence. One said: “This is shocking. How can he say he was trying to protect Ian? To claim that is absolutely ridiculous.”
Relatives did not join the protesters but Mr King told them: “We thank you for remembering Ian today. We ask all of you here today to honour Ian’s *memory by making it a peaceful and respectful march.”
He added: “We may have a long and difficult process ahead of us in getting justice and hope we can rely on your continued support.”
AAG
this has chilling echos of the miners strike with balaclavad bully bobbies without identification numbers on sent by their political masters to quell unrest by force.
but things have changed since the miners strike this bent copper has been identified by his collegues and brought to the fore and is thankfully not on the force at present and hopefully will not return.
whatever excuses this bent bobby makes especially the defence which he is trying to use about protecting the man from a dog is hollyhocks.
he must never be allowed to wear a police uniform again and must face criminal charges no one should be above the law including the law themselves.
no wonder theres no respect for the police as they are motivated by political correctness obsessed by meeting targets and some are even bent.
we need to root this canker out of the force and let the police reclaim the streets and respect.
AAG
well a dark cloud still hangs over G20.
THE baton-wielding police-man who struck Ian *Tomlinson moments before he died at the G20 *protests claims he was “protecting” the man from a dog.
The suggestion that Tomlinson put himself in danger by ignoring police warnings has provoked outrage from G20 protestors.
The unnamed officer came forward last week after being caught on camera hitting the 47-year-old newspaper seller with a baton, then pushing him to the ground.
Moments later the dad-of-nine, who was not involved in the protests but was trying to walk home, collapsed in the street and died of a heart attack.
Photos and video footage show the policeman’s lower face was hidden by a balaclava and he appeared to have his shoulder ID number missing.
Mr Tomlinson was seen to be slowly walking away from a line of riot police and dog handlers with his hands in his pockets and his back turned when the officer struck.
The officer has been suspended from duties pending an investigation by the Independent Police *Complaints Commission.
Chairman Nick Hardwick has warned “someone may face very *serious criminal charges” over the incident.
But according to police insiders, the officer’s defence will be that he pushed Mr Tomlinson to prevent him from being attacked by police dogs.
The source said: “The defence claims Mr Tomlinson put himself in danger by deliberately walking slowly in front of several police dogs.
“The officer claims Tomlinson had appeared to ignore warnings to get out of the way and the officer feared he could be bitten. He says he pushed him for his own safety.”
Yesterday, Mr Tomlinson’s family urged the complaints commission to take strong action against the officer.
Speaking on behalf of relatives, Mr Tomlinson’s stepson Paul King said it had been painful to watch footage of the “violent assault”.
He said: “Ian was a much-loved and warm-hearted man. We are still coming to terms with his tragic death under such tragic circumstances.
“We are hopeful the commission will fulfil their duty to carry out a full investigation into his death and action will be taken against any police officer who contributed to Ian’s death through misconduct. The developments of the past week, particularly the footage shown of Ian suffering a violent assault from police, have been painful to watch.”
Mr King, 26, of East London, was speaking before a march by protesters through London to lay flowers at the site of Mr Tomlinson’s death.
Hundreds dressed in black and *carrying banners gathered at Bethnal Green police station to march in silence to the Bank of England.
And last night protesters reacted angrily to the police officer’s expected defence. One said: “This is shocking. How can he say he was trying to protect Ian? To claim that is absolutely ridiculous.”
Relatives did not join the protesters but Mr King told them: “We thank you for remembering Ian today. We ask all of you here today to honour Ian’s *memory by making it a peaceful and respectful march.”
He added: “We may have a long and difficult process ahead of us in getting justice and hope we can rely on your continued support.”
AAG
this has chilling echos of the miners strike with balaclavad bully bobbies without identification numbers on sent by their political masters to quell unrest by force.
but things have changed since the miners strike this bent copper has been identified by his collegues and brought to the fore and is thankfully not on the force at present and hopefully will not return.
whatever excuses this bent bobby makes especially the defence which he is trying to use about protecting the man from a dog is hollyhocks.
he must never be allowed to wear a police uniform again and must face criminal charges no one should be above the law including the law themselves.
no wonder theres no respect for the police as they are motivated by political correctness obsessed by meeting targets and some are even bent.
we need to root this canker out of the force and let the police reclaim the streets and respect.
AAG