Met Police chief backs officer conduct investigation after G20 death

The Met Police commissioner has said it is “right and proper” that a full investigation be carried out into police officer conduct, following video footage that shows a policeman deliberately knocking Ian Tomlinson to the ground moments before his death at the G20 protests.

Paul Stephenson said footage obtained by the Guardian raised “obvious concerns” about why Tomlinson was attacked when he appeared to be innocently walking away from police.

Tomlinson died about 10 minutes later of a heart attack. Stephenson has said the Met will fully support the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s investigation.

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Stephenson said: “My thoughts are with Mr Tomlinson’s family at this time. The images that have now been released raise obvious concerns and it is absolutely right and proper that there is a full investigation into this matter, which the Met will fully support.”

Opposition parties have called for a criminal investigation.