City police interview Ian Tomlinson witness - assaulted at least twice - more pics emerge

pic by Kris Sime

[update 23:00 BST 7 April]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/07/video-g20-police-assault

Exclusive footage obtained by the Guardian shows Ian Tomlinson, who died during G20 protests in London, was attacked from behind by baton–wielding police officer

Dramatic footage obtained by the Guardian shows that the man who died at last week's G20 protests in London was attacked from behind and thrown to the ground by a baton–wielding police officer in riot gear.

Moments after the assault on Ian Tomlinson was captured on video, he suffered a heart attack and died.

The Guardian is preparing to hand a dossier of evidence to the police complaints watchdog. more

Protesters, and the writer of this blog was one of them, have been vindicated in very short order, although it will come as no consolation to the family of Ian Tomlinson.

The Guardian/Observer has been the only national paper to take seriously from the beginning the claims of police brutality by protesters.

More soon.

From earlier post

A witness has been questioned by City of London police. It follows the publication of three witnesses' statements by the Observer on Sunday. It is not clear whether the person questioned is from among witnesses cited by the newspaper.

The attack on Ian Tomlinson described by the witnesses took place in the Royal Exchange (the building opposite the Bank of England people often mistake for the Bank) and before he was attacked by police for a second time near St Michael's Alley. It is difficult for the police to refute the photographic evidence above from Kris Sime. No wonder there were reports of police demanding protesters destroyed images before being allowed to leave cordons.

For the Sun and Daily Mail readers out there, please take note of the 'helpful' posture of the riot police, possibly shortly after the first assault - don't exactly look like they are offering first aid do they? Also, note, no missiles. It was the protesters that called an ambulance and provided first aid.


So it seems he was attacked at least twice, making it difficult for the police to claim, as they still do, that he merely died of natural causes. But what brought on the heart attack and what of those head injuries?

Why has the Home Secretary not made a statement on this killing, after all it's not every day that someone dies on a protest in the UK.

Oh yes, I forgot, she has to wait for the initial assessment blah blah... The IPCC hasn't opened a formal investigation and is still at the stage of 'assessing' whether to do so.

"IPCC investigators are continuing to look at CCTV of the incident, examine statements and police records and speak to independent witnesses, including new witnesses that have come forward in the last 48 hours. We are also aware of the photos published showing Mr Tomlinson."

But, as far as I know, Jacqui Smith still hasn't even offered her condolences to the family let alone make a statement?

She's probably a bit distracted ordering more stuff from John Lewis to do up another room in one of her properties, naturally all at our expense.

Those witnesses statements from the Guardian:

A riot officer came up behind him and grabbed him. It wasn't just pushing him - he'd rushed him. He went to the floor and he did actually roll. That was quite noticeable. It was the force of the impact. It was all from behind. The officer hit him twice with a baton [when he was] on the floor. So it wasn't just that the officer had pushed him - it became an assault. And then the officer picked him up from the back, continued to walk or charge with him, and threw him. He was running and stumbling. He didn't turn and confront the officer or anything like that.
Anna Branthwaite, 36, freelance photographer, south London

I saw a man approaching the police line from my right. He was quite tall with a beer belly and short hair. I later recognised him from a picture. He was on his own. He walked up to the police across the Royal Exchange Building, towards the centre left of their line. He did not appear drunk - he was walking normally. I saw him suddenly fall back as though flung down with force. It was as though he had been spun. He fell and hit the top of his head hard. I was shocked. He lay on the ground for around 30 seconds without moving before a protester helped him up. The police did not help him at all.
Kezia Rolfe, 27, NGO researcher, Stoke Newington

Police got into scuffles with people. They were pushing the line forward. When he got hit, police were coming forwards. He got hit near the head with a baton. I saw him fall so I moved back. But I saw him on the floor and someone picking him up - that's when I took the picture. After that, I was taking pictures of police and the dog line, and a girl came and said 'This guy needs help'. He was further back down the road.
Amiri Howe, 24, actor/musician, west London