Ian Tomlinson

Man dies after unprovoked London G20 police assault

from various sources
4WardEver – 28th Dec 2009
Any news updates on this case will be listed at the foot of this item

Ian Tomlinson, a 47-year-old newspaper seller, died on 1st April 2009 after being assaulted at least once by officers policing the G20 demonstrations in London. He had been trying to walk home from work when he was confronted by police, hit with a baton and thrown to the ground.

Dramatic footage obtained by the Guardian shows that the Ian was attacked from behind and thrown to the ground by a baton–wielding police officer in riot gear.

Two days later Home Office pathologist Dr Freddy Patel concluded Tomlinson had died of a heart attack. Patel had previously been reprimanded by the General Medical Council (GMC) after he released medical details about a man who died controversially in police custody.

A second post-mortem examination has sensationally revealed that the newspaper seller hit by a policeman at the recent G20 protests died from internal bleeding, and not a heart attack as previously thought.

Film footage reveals that as Ian walks with his hands in his pockets, he does not speak to the police or offer any resistance. A number of officers, some with dogs others in riot gear, are close behind urging him forward.

A Metropolitan police officer appears to strike the victim with a baton, hitting him from behind on his upper thigh. Moments later, the same policeman is seen rushing forward pushing Ian in the back sending him flying to the ground. Bystanders help him to his feet.

The submission to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) included a collection of testimonies from witnesses, along with the video footage which shows Tomlinson at Royal Exchange Passage.

This is the account of the incident resulting in Ian Tomlinson’s death as given by The Ian Tomlinson Family Campaign:

1 April 2009 – G20 protest in London with large scale policing operation in place.

19.00 – 19:20 approximately
Media accounts, video footage and observations of the family of Ian Tomlinson show that he leaves Monument underground station, where he was assisting an Evening Standard newspaper vendor called Barry, at about 7pm to make his way home.

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