There has been widespread condemnation after a police officer was filmed booting a man as he lay on the floor at Manchester Airport.

The police watchdog launched an investigation into the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer on Tuesday in Terminal 2.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct regional director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July.

“We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.

“We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern. It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.

“Our inquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis. We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.

“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”

MPs speak out over incident

Independent MP Adnan Hussain said reports of a police officer kicking a man at Manchester Airport showed a “complete abuse of power”.

The MP for Blackburn told the Commons: “I’ve been inundated with messages of concern and upset from my constituents following the horrific images that have come from Manchester Airport.

“I myself I’m deeply concerned with what can only be described as a complete abuse of power.

“Again, will the (Leader of the House Lucy Powell) join me in assuring the general public that we should never have to witness such scenes of violence in a country like ours, where no authority is above the law? And that all necessary measures must be taken to investigate how and why such an incident arose and for the general public to be reassured?”

Ms Powell replied: “As a Manchester MP, myself, I was absolutely disturbed by that footage as well.

“And understandably it’s caused a lot of public concern and it was truly shocking to see, other colleagues have raised that here on the floor of the House this morning.”

She added: “Let’s hope we don’t see scenes like that again.”

Prime Ministers office responds

Downing Street said the public expects high standards of conduct from police officers.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Clearly we understand the level of concern members of the public rightly have from seeing this video clip.

“The public rightly expect a high standard of conduct from our police officers, who are there to protect our communities. ”

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer shared the Reform UK deputy leader’s view that the police action was “reassuring”, the spokesman said: “No, he wouldn’t characterise it like that.

“As I say, he understands the concern that members of the public rightly have in relation to that video, the public rightly expect a high standard of conduct from our police and it is right that the police have reported themselves to the IOPC.”

Do not to use the incident for 'political purposes', says Mayor

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham asked people not to use the incident for “political purposes”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, he said: “People do use situations like this for political purposes. I would ask them not to do it.

“There is understandable feeling and anger in the communities when people see the incident, of course, I guess everyone understands that and there’s a reaction but when people seek to exploit that then I don’t think that is at all in the public interest, it’s not right.”

He added: “I guarantee everybody across Greater Manchester today who has deep concerns about this that this will be done properly, in the right way, independently, it will be looked at and we’ll come to a right and fair conclusion.

“We have to balance the range of things don’t we? There is a difficult job that our frontline professionals do but at the same time they have to always uphold the highest standards and that is what I’m here to do, to hold Greater Manchester Police to account on behalf of the public and that is the process that will now take place.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Federation said it noted the decision to suspend the officer involved in the incident at Manchester Airport.

He said: “The matter is now under investigation – everyone has the right to a fair hearing where all sides of the story are told and context is provided.

“As their staff association, we are supporting the officer concerned, and all of our colleagues who were involved in this incident, including those who were injured.

“We would also like to thank the many members of the public who have contacted us offering support for our hard-working colleagues doing a difficult and dangerous job. It is appreciated.”

Protest planned in Manchester

Stand Up to Racism are to join a protest on Thursday 25 July at 6pm
outside Andy Burnham’s Office, The Refuge Building, Manchester.

Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up to Racism, said:
There is no context which can justify the police violence against the Muslim family at Manchester airport.

"It has rightfully shocked those around the country, but this brutality is not an aberration but the effects of the institutional racism of the police. From the Macpherson Report to the Casey Review, the police is found to be rotten to the core. Every police officer involved in the incident must be held accountable, and we must continue to fight back against institutional racism."