Carshalton G20 copper to face disciplinary proceedings over Ian Tomlinson incident (From Surrey Comet)

Carshalton G20 copper to face disciplinary proceedings over Ian Tomlinson incident

1:08pm Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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The police officer at the centre of the Ian Tomlinson G20 controversy will face disciplinary proceedings for alleged gross misconduct.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson announced to the Home Office Committee this week that PC Simon Harwood, from Carshalton, will face an internal investigation.

Pc Simon Harwood, a member of Scotland Yard's territorial support group, was filmed hitting the newspaper seller with his baton and pushing him to the ground during the protest on April 1.

The news comes after it was announced by Keir Starmer, director of public prosecutions at the CPS, that there would be no criminal proceedings over the 47-year-old’s death - a decision labelled as "outrageous" by Mr Tomlinson's stepson Paul King.

As Mr Tomlinson was walking home past the protests, through the City of London, PC Harwood police officers struck him on the thigh with a baton and pushed him hard in the back.

The push caused the newspaper seller to fall heavily to the floor and, because he had his hands in his pockets, he was unable to break his fall.

Although Mr Tomlinson was able to get back to his feet he then collapsed to the floor and died after unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him.

Sir Paul told a meeting of the Commons Home Affairs Committee he was "disturbed" by the amateur video footage showing the incident.

He said: "It is right we move swiftly and it is also right that there is full public disclosure at the inquest."

The Met commissioner said it would be "entirely inappropriate" to comment on the decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) last Thursday not to prosecute.

He said the incident had "cast a shadow" on the professionalism of the overwhelming number of staff and officers involved in policing G20 event.

Mr Starmer said there was no realistic prospect of a conviction following a 15-month inquiry, because of irreconcilable differences between medical experts.

Len Jackson, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), said: “We are pleased the Metropolitan Police has responded quickly to the file of evidence we provided them with on Friday. We welcome their proposal and await receipt of a formal letter from the MPS which will set out the full detail.

“We will examine the proposed course of action before agreeing how this should proceed and respond as swiftly as possible.”

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