What we know about Manchester Airport video footage

Reform UK has said it plans to launch a private prosecution against two men suspected of being involved in a disturbance at Manchester Airport over the summer if they are not charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

MPs Richard Tice and Nigel Farage also accused Greater Manchester Police of withholding footage of the incident in which three police officers sustained injuries, and said that delays in apprehending the suspects were affecting "the morale of serving police officers".

The incident, on 24 July, saw footage circulate that appeared to show a police officer kick a man who was being restrained in Manchester airport, prompting huge outrage. Later, footage was leaked that showed the altercation leading up to the restraint.

At a press conference on Monday, the Reform MPs were asked to explain why they were suspicious that video footage of the full incident had not been released by police earlier, despite it being standard police practice not to release such information.

The CPS is reviewing the case, which has also been referred to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Greater Manchester Police have described it as a "complex" situation that "escalated rapidly".

One officer has been suspended pending the investigation. A second officer has also been advised that they are under criminal investigation for assault over an incident shortly after four men were arrested on suspicion of affray and assault and remain on bail.

A letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper signed by Reform’s five MPs said: “We have genuine reason to be concerned that in fact the CPS is awaiting for the IOPC to find some fault with the police officers, which will then give them a reason not to progress charges against the assailants. This is totally unacceptable.”

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police said the force was waiting for a charging decision from the Crown Prosecution Service, adding it has “avoided providing ongoing commentary on the case, including releasing footage, to ensure that justice can be served without the risk of prejudicing proceedings."

“We continue to support the officers involved and are committed to getting them justice.”

What happened?

In footage widely shared on social media on 24 July, an officer was seen appearing to kick and stamp on the head of Fahir Amaaz, 19, as he and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 25, both from Rochdale, were restrained by officers. Officers were criticised and an investigation into the incident was started.

The footage is said to have been filmed at the airport’s terminal two a day earlier.

The video prompted a backlash against GMP, sparking two days of protests in Manchester city centre and Rochdale, where the man injured in the video comes from.

Videos online appeared to show a handful of demonstrators with their faces covered, throwing eggs at Rochdale police station.

On 26 July, the Independent Office for Police Complaints (IOPC) announced a police constable was under criminal investigation.

The officer was served with a disciplinary notice to inform him he was being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards, including his use of force.

Police said four men were arrested on suspicion of affray and assault following the incident and were later bailed.

On 27 July, Manchester Evening News published new footage believed to be of the preceding events, including when two female police officers were hit to the ground before Amaaz was incapacitated with a Taser.

Another man, wearing a dark T-shirt, appears to grab the male officer and the two start to throw punches at one another.

The following day, the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said “nobody is in possession of the complete picture” of the incident, and urged people to “take a step back” and allow the authorities to carry out their investigations.

On 1 August, a solicitor representing the family involved in the Manchester Airport incident said they had spoken to the IOPC with “regards to lodging a formal complaint against officers”.

Fahir Amaaz, Muhammad Amaad, and their mother Shameem Akhtar, 56, said they wanted to understand “on what legal basis” Burnham was shown complete CCTV of the incident “and by whom”.

Through their solicitor, Aamer Anwar, they said the family and its legal representatives should have been “provided with an opportunity to view footage before any politician”. Anwar said if family members had engaged in criminality, “then they must be subjected to due process”.

The family’s lawyer also claimed Shameem Akhtar was hit in the face with a Taser by an officer.

On 8 August the IOPC said a second officer was under criminal investigation for assault, relating to an incident shortly afterwards when two other men were arrested. The officer is also being investigated for potential gross misconduct for alleged breaches of police professional standards including their use of force.

In August, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed it had submitted "a comprehensive file of evidence" to the CPS for advice "as part of an investigation into a series of alleged criminal offences which saw three police officers injured at Manchester Airport in July".

“GMP major incident team investigators, led by a highly experienced senior investigating officer, have been thoroughly investigating the incident," it added.

On 5 September, the family said their lives had been “turned upside down” in s statement after meeting the acting IOPC regional director Catherine Bates to discuss progress on its investigation.

Following the meeting the family’s solicitor Aamer Anwar said Ms Bates had told them “judge us on what we do”. Anwar said: “She has promised a robust and impartial investigation. This will not be completed overnight and is likely to take a period of time.

On 6 September, it was announced the IOPC was to probe the release of footage to the media.

What is the IOPC investigating?

The IOPC spokesman said its investigation will consider whether discriminatory behaviour may have influenced the treatment received.

It will look at the force used against six members of the public in two incidents, the first involving the arrests shown in footage and the second, shortly afterwards, when two other men were arrested and one was Pava sprayed.

It will also consider allegations about the level of care provided to a woman who reported she received an injury during the arrests and a young child present at the time; the language and level of force used by police towards two of the men who were arrested; and the men’s subsequent detention in custody.