A protest is taking place in Manchester after a video which appeared to show a man being kicked as he lay face down on the floor.
The demonstration has been organised by Stand Up To Racism.
People have gathered outside the offices of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Mayor Andy Burnham on Oxford Street in the City of Manchester.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Stand Up To Racism says “There is no possible justification whatsoever for this vicious attack. When we gather tonight it is to demand the immediate suspension of all the GMP officers involved."
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer was suspended on Thursday after the video was shared widely on social media and prompted protesters to gather outside Rochdale police station late on Wednesday night.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who met with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the incident on Thursday, asked for calm, saying the “right and proper steps” had been taken.
The footage, filmed at Manchester Airport’s terminal two on Tuesday, appeared to show an officer kick and stamp on the head of a man who was lying face down on the floor, with a woman kneeling beside him.
The video also appeared to show the officer strike a second man.
Police said three of their officers had been assaulted, including a female Police Constable who suffered a broken nose, and four men were arrested.
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester on Thursday morning, Mr Burnham said full footage of the incident showed a “fast-moving and complicated” situation with “issues for both sides”, but said it was “right” that the officer had been suspended.
He added: “I would ask for calm because what I can assure people is that the right and proper steps have been taken in the right way.”
He urged people not to use the situation for “political purposes”.
Speaking to media outside Rochdale police station on Thursday, solicitor Akhmed Yakoob said two of the men involved were members of a serving GMP officer’s family.
He said: “The family are okay but they are traumatised.”
He said the condition of one of the men had worsened and said a CT scan revealed a “cyst on his brain”.
He added: “The main concern for us, for me, is that the family receive justice and this no longer happens again.”
The regional director of police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Catherine Bates, promised a “thorough and robust” independent investigation into the incident and said body-worn video and CCTV footage had been secured.
She later said that the IOPC had received a second referral from GMP.
Ms Bates said: “The first, received earlier today, concerned the use of force by an officer on a man who was detained on the ground. The second relates to the same officer’s use of Pava spray on another man at the airport.”
She added: “We have met with members of the first man’s family today, some of whom were present during the incident, to explain our role and to listen to their concerns. We will keep them updated as our investigation continues.
“We will ensure a robust investigation, independent of police, is carried out to investigate the circumstances that led up to and during the incident at Terminal 2. We know many people have serious questions about what happened and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.”
The IOPC said its investigators had already secured a significant amount of body-worn video and CCTV footage which would be subject to detailed analysis.
After meeting with the force and Mr Burnham on Thursday, the Home Secretary welcomed the investigation and said: “I share the deep concern surrounding the video and understand the widespread distress it will have caused.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also said he had seen the video and said: “I understand that concern.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in statement shared on X: “This morning I have spoken to Greater Manchester Police and the Mayor of Greater Manchester about the urgent steps they are taking in response to the incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, and the video that circulated online yesterday.
“I share the deep concern surrounding the video and understand the widespread distress it will have caused. I welcome the initiation of an independent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following a referral from Greater Manchester Police. It is extremely important that the IOPC are able to begin the investigation swiftly and conduct it thoroughly, examining all of the evidence, with clear and transparent ways for all those affected to be able to raise their concerns with the IOPC.
“I welcome the engagement by the Mayor of Greater Manchester with local communities. It is essential that the police have the trust of communities and the public rightly expect high standards from those in charge of keeping us safe.
“I am continuing to receive updates from Greater Manchester Police. It is vital that we now allow this investigation to proceed fairly and independently.”
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh said he was due to meet with the family on Thursday.
Crowds, reportedly of about 200 people, gathered outside Rochdale police station late on Wednesday, some chanting “GMP shame on you”.
The force said the demonstration concluded “without incident”.
GMP has said officers at the airport were responding to reports of an altercation between members of the public.
Two men were arrested on suspicion of assault, assault of an emergency worker, affray and obstructing police and two were held on suspicion of affray and assault of an emergency worker, police said.
In a statement on Thursday morning, a force spokesman said: “Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.
“A referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a full independent investigation.
“We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place.”
Due to the protest at St Peters Square, there is a service change across the tram network.
Trams will be unable to operate through the city centre and will operate the following service pattern:
Trafford Park to Deansgate
Altrincham to Old Trafford
Bury and Oldham to Victoria
East Didsbury to Cornbrook
Eccles to Cornbrook
Ashton to Piccadilly Station
Stop within the city centre are within walking distance. Alternatively, you can catch the free bus service that operates within the city centre or the replacement bus service that is operating between Piccadilly Station and Victoria.
For live updates visit @BeeNetwork.
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