Diane warns trust in police force will plummet following Tomlinson verdict
22 Jul 2010
Labour MP Diane Abbott has criticised the CPS’ ruling over the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests last year. Despite video footage clearly showing innocent bystander Tomlinson being assaulted by riot police, the CPS has ruled no members of the police force will face criminal charges due to conflicting post-mortem results.
Ian Tomlinson, 47, was on his way home when caught up in the protests. Video footage shows a riot officer assaulting Tomlinson from behind with a baton then pushing him to the floor, once again from behind. Original police reports claimed efforts to resuscitate Tomlinson were impeded by protestors but footage suggests police officers did not come to his aid; instead innocent bystanders were left to help Tomlinson to his feet. He was later found collapsed roughly 100metres down Cornhill clutching his side.
The CPS has ruled that due to post-mortem conflicts, a manslaughter charge could not be reached. A charge of common assault is also now impossible due to the 6-month deadline for such a charge having passed after the 16-month long investigation. Initial police accounts found Tomlinson died of natural causes, citing a heart attack as the cause of death. However a second post-mortem conducted on behalf of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) found Tomlinson died of internal bleeding. The results of a third post-mortem have not been released to the public.
Hackney MP Abbott today spoke of her fears that trust in the police will fall significantly, which appeared to be the case as campaigners planned a protest at Scotland Yard moments after the verdict was announced.
Speaking on the incident today Diane said:
"Five years to the day after the death of Jean Charles de Menezes at the hands of our police, it appears that lessons have not been learnt. The outcome of this investigation gives rise to grave concern. And the conduct of the CPS, particularly their delay in taking up the case in the first place, has been unsatisfactory
"I am at a loss to understand why the investigation took sixteen months to reach a conclusion as I believe that if the roles had been reversed, and a civilian assault led to a police officers death in this way, the investigation might have been somewhat quicker and reached a very different conclusion. It would be inappropriate to level accusations of misconduct at the CPS at this time but I think an inquiry into the investigation, as well as the incident as a whole, is highly necessary.
"Without a doubt this verdict benefits absolutely nobody, particularly the CPS and the officer in question. I now find it very difficult to see how a breakdown in the relationship between the public and our police forces will be avoided".
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