Four months after we all saw the video of the riot policeman assaulting Ian Tomlinson at the anti-G20 demos in London the Independent Police Complaints Commission informs the great British public that it has finished its inquiry but still doesn't know if there will be any prosecutions, leaving the ball marooned in the court of the Crown Prosecution Service. What are they waiting for? Or is bringing the police to account for their crimes, for a change, too much to ask of the British justice system? In truth the authorities have shown themselves to be more than happy to clampdown on people exercising their right to peacefully protest on issues such as Israel's barbarity in Gaza to workers occupying their factories to stop closures and job losses. See report from today's Guardian below: Prosecutors are considering whether to charge the Metropolitan police officer who attacked Ian Tomlinson at the G20 demonstration moments before the newspaper vendor collapsed and died, the po...

Saturday 23 May - assemble 3pm Trafalgar Square March via Downing Street to New Scotland Yard. The United Campaign Against Police Violence has called a national demonstration to highlight the issues of police violence and demand justice for those who have died in police custody. The police tactic of "kettling" demonstrators - essentially detaining protestors and bystanders without charge - will be turned on its head on the protest, when we kettle New Scotland Yard . At the end of the protest there will be a naming of the dead for those who have died in police custody, led by the families of the bereaved who have yet to receive justice. Over 1000 people have died in police custody in the last 40 years - yet no one has been found responsible. Protestors will demand the disbanding of the Territorial Support Group , the resignation of "Independent" Police Complaints Commission chair Nick Hardwick , justice for those killed in police custody and for the right to protes...

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate the cover-up by the police of the murder of Ian Tomlinson. As consistently demanded on this site - we want to know who was responsible for spreading the lies and disinformation contained in the initial media reports based on police briefings: Police are to be investigated over whether they deliberately misled the public over the suspected involvement of officers in the death of Ian Tomlinson during the G20 protests, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said today . The launch of a separate and independent inquiry into "the Metropolitan police service (MPS) and City of London police media handling of the death of Ian Tomlinson" comes after weeks of concern that the public were misled about events surrounding the death of the 47-year-old newspaper vendor, during the G20 protests in London. It raises the possibility that police were involved in a cover-up, and deliberately withheld crucial information about ...

Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) - report back from lobby A Metropolitan police officer has resigned over inappropriate comments on a website about the G20 protest, acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin said. He revealed the resignation during a public meeting over the policing of G20 protests in London. Protesters heckled and jeered Mayor Boris Johnson who said that officers in general had done a "fantastic job". Two officers were later suspended and one of them was interviewed on suspicion of manslaughter. Godwin refused to give any further information about the officer that resigned. When the mayor defended the police officers on duty during the G20 summit, a protester shouted "rubbish". Members of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) and the force's board of governors faced a group of protesters holding a large banner reading "Remember Ian Tomlinson" as they arrived at City Hall. more at the BBC Police blame media for G20 violence ...

So what would the riot police have been like if their commanders hadn't calmed them down? I think we can safely discount this latest spin from the Met. The cops are now blaming the media for hyping the prospect of serious violence on the day. Well, we did have some very serious violence, and it was from the police. Also, who are these supervisors who didn't ensure 'officers displayed ID numbers' and does the silence on the result of third postmortem probably mean it's not looking good for the unnamed police territorial support group policeman that carried out the attack on Ian Tomlinson? Officers policing the G20 protests in London were told to remain "calm and restrained", says a Met police report. Supervisors also had to ensure officers displayed ID numbers , says the report being presented to a Metropolitan Police Authority meeting later... ...The results of a third post-mortem, requested by the interviewed police officer's legal team, have not be...

• End Police Violence • Defend the Right to Protest • Disband the Riot Squads • Justice for Ian Tomlinson There is a May Day protest on Friday 1st May at 6 pm outside Cardiff Central Police Station, Edward VII Avenue (Behind City Hall) called by Cardiff Stop the War Coalition & supported by several other social justice organisations. With attacks on civil liberties, repeated attacks on the right to protest and harassment of campaigning organisations it is a v.important protest, unless you think it is okay to be beaten up by a policeman or have your house raided because you have a strong opinion on Gaza, climate chaos or the credit crunch. "But something else has changed in this country: the resolution of the protesters. Despite repeated assaults, they appear to become better organised and less afraid. That, so soon after Operation Glencoe, 114 people were prepared to risk arrest and another beating testifies to the resilience of this movement. These people know that protest is...

Ian Tomlinson's family will be holding his funeral today. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. The third post mortem, ordered on behalf of the policeman that attacked Ian, has been carried out but the result has not been released as yet. Tomorrow campaigners will be lobbying, or should that be kettling, the Metropolitan Police Authority at City Hall. Called by UCAPV Assemble 9:00am, Thursday 30 April Outside City Hall ( http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/locationmap.jsp ) See message below from Jenny Jones, Green Party member of the London Assembly: Jenny Jones, Green representative on the MPA will be addressing the lobby prior to the MPA meeting this Thursday and would like to update all those concerned about the policing of the G20 protests on April 1st and those who have written to her. A call to write to members of the MPA then follows. Please use this opportunity to impress upon all members of the MPA the importance of our campaign ahead of the meeting and as they convene ...

Thursday, 30 April: Lobby of the Metropolitan Police Authority meeting on G20 policing, City Hall. With Jenny Jones, Green Party Assembly Member. Come and join the protest against the Met's violent policing of the demonstrations and their extensive use of batons, dogs and "kettling". In particular, come and make your voice heard against the Met's Territorial Support Group (TSG) which supposedly specialises in public order. Ian Tomlinson collapsed and died after being hit and pushed by a TSG officer who has since been questioned on suspicion of manslughter. If we're going to get justice and defend our right to protest we need to keep the pressure up on the Met. Please bring trade union banners, and forward this information far and wide. A press release will be out soon - please also forward this to all relevant contacts. Also, please see a message from Jenny Jones, Green Party member of the London Assembly, who will be at the protest, on the Facebook page. Assemb...

Protesters from the United Campaign Against Police Violence (UCAPV)leafleted Millwall on Saturday, and were joined by the family of Sean Rigg who died in police custody. Bob Crow, the general secretary of the RMT trade union, also gave a hand. Campaigners received a warm reception from Millwall fans. Bob Crow took a banner advertising the national demonstration on 23 May into the stadium. On Saturday members and supporters of the UCAPV, including Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT, went to The Den, homeground of Millwall FC, to give out leaflets about the campaign and forthcoming events. Ian Tomlinson was a big Millwall fan, as is Bob Crow, and the support for the campaign was immense. We got rid of well over 1,000 leaflets within half an hour, with many Millwall fans coming back for more. The press were in attendance too with Bob being interviewed for both Channel 4 News and The Times. In fact, the only people who weren't happy to see us were a few shifty Met officers pacing a...

Police cash for protester to spy, coppers boasting of giving the citizens they 'serve' a bloody good kicking, the IPCC investigating 25 complaints of head injuries, and a PC Rob Ward's days in the force numbered (by the way, the first name of a policeman that has found its way into the public domain since the G20 police attacks and the murder of Ian Tomlinson) - the reputation of the police in Britain worsens by the day... The Met said last night it was attempting to identify the author of the comments, which were left on the Policeman's Blog site following the death of Mr Tomlinson, a newspaper vendor, on 1 April. The latest inflammatory remarks from serving policemen over the treatment of G20 protesters surfaced after it emerged that PC Rob Ward, 27, had allegedly bragged on Facebook how he was going to "bash some long-haired hippies" at the G20 demonstrations. On Friday, Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson responded to rising anti-police sentiment follow...

Yet more evidence emerged today of the murder of Ian Tomlinson at the hands of the police. Massive bruising to the head can be seen after his head slammed to the pavement after being batoned and pushed over by a Territorial Support Group policeman, whose name we still do not know. Not sure why Sky News have 'disguised' Ian's face by blanking out the eyes. The police have sought and been granted a third postmortem on Ian Tomlinson, the findings of which are still not known. From Sky News Newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, who was shoved onto the pavement by a policeman during the G20 protests, suffered a head injury before he died. Close-up of the injury to Mr Tomlinson's head A photograph obtained by Sky News suggests strongly that the injury was the result of the alleged assault by the officer, who has been suspended and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter. Show your repsects for Ian Tomlinson tonight. Light Out at 8:30pm for one hour. Called by the United...

IPCC, contrary to Hardwick's statements to parliament, is now trying to stop videos appearing in the public domain. It sought, unsuccessfully, an injunction to stop Channel 4 showing an excerpt on YouTube that has since been removed. Abolish the IPCC now. Well done to the Guardian for broadcasting the full footage on it's site: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/22/new-ian-tomlinson-g20-video

City of London coroner says third postmortem to be carried out on body of Ian Tomlinson at request of police on Wednesday 22 April. Commissioner Paul Stephenson told MPs today that: "“This was a successful conference, although there have been a few disturbing images that need to be investigated.” A few 'disturbing images' - what about the killing of an innocent man? The IPCC is has now received 185 complaints against the police and is investigating 52 incidents according to chairman Nick Hardwick. Meanwhile, 58% of people questioned by pollsters ICM were opposed to the police use of excessive force, while right wing MP Gerald Howarth bemoans what he sees as the challenge to law and order by Tamils in Parliament Square - the direct result of what he regards as unwarranted criticism of police violence. Tamils beaten up by cops can be forgiven for not being aware of the new softly softly 'restraint' being shown by the territorial support group bully boys. The poli...

Protesters march through London last Saturday (11 April) to demand justice for Ian Tomlinson (Pic: » Angela Stapleford ) The march of over 500 people last Saturday was the perfect launch pad for the fightback against police brutality in Britain. The first campaign meeting on Wednesday 15 April was attended by around 60 people and included the Tomlinson family solicitor, representatives from the Riggs and Douglas families that saw loved ones die in police custody (United Friends and Families Campaign), plus representatives from G20 Meltdown, Stop the War Coalition, the Newham Monitoring Project, Inquest, the Green Party and the Socialist Workers Party, among others. It was agreed to name the campaign the United Campaign Against Police Violence and an open steering committee has been set up which held its first meeting on Saturday and was attended by Inquest's Helen Shaw, the NMP and the Green Party's London Policy Co-ordinator. The campaign is now planning for a launch rally ...

A parliamentary committee will be talking to the Independent Police Complaints Committee's Nick Hardwick today. Don't expect him to get a grilling from the the very same parliamentarians that granted all those powers to the police in the first place. The IPCC is of course financed by the Home Offfice and it's lack of independence will no doubt be on display today as it tries to explain, if asked, its cosy relationship with the police and government. Hardwick says we need a national debate on policing. No, what we need from his IPCC is for it to do its job and help to bring violent and criminal police officers to account. But isn't it remarkable what a difference a week makes as media outlets, and others, apparently fall over themselves to start focusing on police behaviour instead of demonising peaceful protesters. In addition to our new converts in the media in the fight against police brutality, we also have Tory politicians like Boris Johnson calling for a speedy an...

Campaign launch meeting Try and get along to this important meeting to help carry the fight against police brutality forward. I'll be in Mallorca next week but will of course be reporting on the launch meetings deliberations. Backed by: Sue Bond Vice-President PCS (pc) , Jane Loftus Vice-President CWU (pc) , Essex University Students' Union, Hind Hassan NUS NEC (pc), Rob Owen NUS NEC (pc), James Haywood NUS NEC elect (pc), Tom Wills Sussex University Students' Union president elect, Aled Fisher LSE Students' Union general secretary (pc), Bonolo Woracker Coventry University Students' Union vice-president, Jennifer Jones Goldsmiths College Students' Union executive (pc), Assed Baig Staffordshire University Students' Union executive (pc), Ben Sellers SOAS Students' Union vice-president, SWP, G20 Meltdown 8:00pm, Wednesday 15 April Exmouth Arms, 1 Starcross Street, London, NW1 2HR Nearest tube/station: Euston

We rang the IPCC yesterday and got the same stonewalling (see below) the Guardian received when we asked if anyone had been interviewed, let alone arrested. Justice for Ian Tomlinson Demonstration Assemble 11.30am, Saturday 11 April Bethnal Green Police Station, 12 Victoria Park Square off Roman Road, 2 minutes from Bethnal Green tube March to Bank Called by G20 Meltdown, who ask people to wear black and bring flowers to lay where Ian Tomlinson died. Campaign launch meeting Backed by: Sue Bond Vice-President PCS (pc) , Jane Loftus Vice-President CWU (pc) , Essex University Students' Union, Hind Hassan NUS NEC (pc), Rob Owen NUS NEC (pc), James Haywood NUS NEC elect (pc), Tom Wills Sussex University Students' Union president elect, Aled Fisher LSE Students' Union general secretary (pc), Bonolo Woracker Coventry University Students' Union vice-president, Jennifer Jones Goldsmiths College Students' Union executive (pc), Assed Baig Staffordshire...

From the Daily Mail G20 policeman suspended as new pictures reveal victim's drunken clash with officers shortly before he collapsed The newspaper seller, wearing a Millwall football shirt, appears to be deliberately blocking a police van as he walks across the street smoking a cigarette, with the driver leaning out of the window to ask him to move "However, the fresh pictures, which were taken by IT worker Ross Hardy, seem to complicate events surrounding the 47-year-old's death." The headline, caption and excerpt above are from the Daily Mail . Ian's Evening Standard paper-selling friend is quoted as saying he was not drunk in the Telegraph this morning. And even if he was both drunk and blocking a police vehicle is that an excuse to kill him, as the Daily Mail infers with its 'complicate events' ruse? Telegraph has this from Ian's friend Barry Smith: "He had a drink problem but that day he was completely sober and was looking forward...

Fresh from our inbox - IPCC press release The IPCC has called for the officer to be suspended. The MPS has now informed us that the officer has [been] suspended with immediate effect. Although decisions about suspension are a matter for the Chief Officer of the police, when there is an IPCC investigation, the police are obliged to consult with us over the suspension of officers. In this case, we have expressed the view that the officer in question should be suspended from duty, in the public interest. It's the least they could do. Given the prima facie evidence why hasn't he been arrested yet?

[update 24 April 2009] Breaking news: Ian Tomlinson head injury picture shows police culpability Yet more evidence emerged today of the murder of Ian Tomlinson at the hands of the police. Massive bruising to the head can be seen after his head slammed to the pavement after being batoned and pushed over by a Territorial Support Group policeman, whose name we still do not know. Not sure why Sky News have 'disguised' Ian's face by blanking out the eyes. The police have sought and been granted a third postmortem on Ian Tomlinson, the findings of which are still not known. From Sky News Newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, who was shoved onto the pavement by a policeman during the G20 protests, suffered a head injury before he died. Close-up of the injury to Mr Tomlinson's head A photograph obtained by Sky News suggests strongly that the injury was the result of the alleged assault by the officer, who has been suspended and questioned on suspicion of manslaughter. Sh...