The Verdict: Ian Tomlinson unlawfully killed by PC at G20 protests
Ian Tomlinson was unlawfully killed by Pc Simon Harwood at the G20 protests in London, an inquest jury has ruled.
Mr Tomlinson, 47, collapsed and died after he was hit by a baton and pushed to the ground by the officer at the protests in London on 1 April 2009.The jury said Pc Harwood used "excessive and unreasonable" force in striking him. Mr Tomlinson, who was not taking part in the protests, posed no threat, the jury added.
Jules Carey representing the Tomlinson family, has just released a statement:
"Today's decision is a huge relief to Mr Tomlinson's family. To many, today's verdict will seem like a statement of the blindingly obvious, however this fails to take account of the significant and many obstacles faced by the family over the last two years to get to this decision. The CPS will now review whether a prosecution will be brought following today's verdict and the way in which the evidence has been clarified during the inquest process."
The director of public prosecutions (DPP) has now promised a "thorough review" of the evidence, this is the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) full statement:
"The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, made it clear last year that the decision not to prosecute anyone in relation to the death of Mr Ian Tomlinson would be reviewed in light of the evidence heard at the Inquest. That review will now take place and will be thorough. It will take into account all of the evidence now available, including any new evidence that emerged at the Inquest, the issues left by the Coroner to the jury and the conclusions they reached. The review will be conducted as quickly as is compatible with the care and rigour required in a thorough exercise. It accords with our usual practice and the Attorney General's review into deaths in custody published in 2003."
Source: BBC, The Guardian
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- groups:
- News and Politics
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- tags:
- Police, Police Brutality, G20, Ian Tomlinson
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