Manchester Airport police incident – latest: Family solicitor says man who was stamped on has cyst on his brain

Protesters have gathered outside mayor Andy Burnham’s office organised by Stand Up To Racism Manchester.

Around 100 people began chanting ‘No Justice, No Peace’ at the location close to Temple bar where speeches are expected to be held.

It came as a lawyer representing 19 year-old Mohammed Fahir, who was kicked in the video captured at Manchester Airport, has asked people to “pray for his wellbeing.”

Akhmed Yakoob said his client’s condition had worsened and doctors were dealing with a “cyst on the brain.”

In a statement, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “The Deputy Mayor and I have now had the opportunity to meet with both the Home Secretary and the regional director of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

“It was agreed that the IOPC investigation now under way will be carried out as swiftly as possible, will involve community stakeholders and will be truly independent. “The precise arrangements will be set out by the IOPC.

“I hope this provides further reassurance to people that all the right steps are being taken, that all relevant issues will be fully considered and gives people confidence in the process as it moves forward.”

Following the release of footage which reportedly shows an officer kicking a man in the head, former chief crown prosecutor Nazir Afzal explains how we can hold law enforcement accountable when it goes too far

The condition of the man who was stamped on by a police officer has worsened overnight and he has a cyst on his brain the family’s solicitor said.

Giving up update outside Rochdale Police station, Akhmed Yakoob, a director at Maurice Andrews Solicitors in Birmingham said: “It was something that hasn’t been seen before, such police brutality. I can tell you guys now that the people who were assaulted by the police are members of a police officer’s family who is currently serving in the Greater Manchester Police force.

“This man is now afraid to go into work. He went in to speak with his supervisor and the only reason he is not going to work is because he is fearing for his own safety and he thinks that like his family members who were the victims, he could be a victim.

“In relation to the investigation the IOPC are involved and I’ve just finished with a meeting from them. The family are ok but they are traumatised.”

Mr Yakoob added that Fahir, who was kicked and stamped on by a police officer at Manchester Airport, has a cyst on his brain and his medical condition has worsened since last night.

He added: “Right now the main concern for us and me is that the family receive justice and this no longer happens again. Just imagine a first time visitor to the UK and they get to see the brutality from the UK police.

“They will not want to visit the UK again. I wouldn’t if I saw that sort of brutality by people who were meant to be the protectors of the public and not aggressors and oppressors.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said it is “extremely important” that an investigation into footage of a police officer appearing to kick a man is able to happen “swiftly” and “thoroughly”, as she expressed “deep concern” over the incident.

She said: “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.”

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he has seen the full footage leading up to an incident where a police officer appears to kick a man as he lays on the floor and that it was “not a clearcut situation”.

He told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “It was, I think, an issue on a flight coming into Manchester Airport.

“When the flight landed, two individuals … were waiting for their mum, who I think said that there’d been an issue on the flight and she pointed somebody out and then there was an altercation in the arrivals hall.

“And then that individual who was involved in that – or a couple – were followed by cameras through the airport, and then we get to the scene that people have seen, which is in the car park area of Manchester Airport.

“So there had been already a serious incident before that. What people don’t see in the clip is that there is a situation which escalates and escalates very quickly. “

He said there were issues “on both sides” but reiterated that the footage everyone has seen is “disturbing” and said it was right to refer the situation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate.

Yvette Cooper is meeting with Andy Burnham “as we speak” over the footage appearing to show a police officer kicking a prone man in the head, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Asked about the video in Runcorn, Cheshire, the prime minister said: “I’ve seen it myself. I understand that concern.

“There has now been the suspension of one police officer this morning and the Home Secretary is meeting the Mayor of (Greater Manchester) to discuss this as we speak now.”

Taking part in a phone-in on BBC Radio Manchester, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham was asked about comments made about the footage by Reform MPs Lee Anderson and Richard Tice.

Mr Anderson posted on social media site X that the “vast majority of decent Brits would applaud this type of policing”, while Mr Tice told TalkTV the video was “reassuring” rather than “distressing”.

Mr Burnham said: “In the world that I described a moment ago, a social media world that rushes to judgment, if your elected representatives do that as well I think you’re heading in a very dangerous direction in society.”

He added: “Society is not helped by politicians rushing to join the clamour.”

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.”