Clearing cops in Manchester Airport brawl was RIGHT – critics have NO idea what officers endure, top cop blasts
CRITICS who slammed police over the Manchester Airport brawl have no idea what brave officers endure every day, a top cop has blasted.
Two brothers have been charged over a fight involving police at the airport that sparked protests across the country in the summer.
Shocking footage showed the fight erupt on July 23 as two officers were allegedly punched to the ground.
Passenger Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 19, appeared to be kicked in the head by an officer as he and his brother Muhammad Amaad, 25, were restrained.
This caused an uproar on social media, before erupting onto the streets.
Ex-Met Police officer Graham Wettone told The Sun it was impossible to get the full story in such a short clip.
He said it took so long to bring charges due to the large amount of evidence to sift through.
“It can be frustrating,” he said.
He said during his time as an officer he occasionally worked at airports and while its a “fairly secure” environment, things can turn suddenly.
“There’s always that in the back of your mind that you’re in quite a vulnerable place, albeit contained to a certain degree,” Mr Wettone explained.
“The threats are still prevalent, and behaviour can escalate and be quite poor on occasion.”
He said commentary on the case, including by some politicians, was unhelpful.
“I think politicians can support policing without having to almost jump on a bandwagon and use it for their own political causes,” Mr Wettone said.
“Use it as as a we’re better than other parties, we’re more supportive than other parties.
“I think it doesn’t have to be almost like who’s the biggest in the playground argument.
“It seems to have gone on over this particular case with certain people, certain high profile individuals involved in it.”
He also said it was right to clear the police officers involved, as the IOPC – the watchdog responsible for complaints made against cops – don’t take these matters lightly.
Wettone added: “They may not know all the facts… The CPS, the IOPC, and whichever police source in any incident will have all the facts.
“Politicians are probably looking on social media posts, as we are, making a poorly informed decision, and then making a statement from it, without actually knowing all the background, all the facts, or what other evidence is likely to come in in the future.
“People need to be careful what they’re saying. Be mindful of what they’re saying, because very quickly, people in authority, in positions of power, can have huge influence on the people that are listening to them.”
He went on to say: “It just seems that this particular case has caused an awful lot of interest with some individuals and some parties.
“It’s not overly clear why this one case struck a chord not just from the social media clip, but maybe there’s other factors involved as to why it was taken on by so many different people for various reasons.
“There’s a time and a place to show support for police support is one thing, but actually getting involved and and almost like suggesting an outcome suggesting a result suggesting a sentence, I think is going over the line for me.”
CHARGES
Amaaz, now 20, is accused of two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault.
Amaad, 25, is charged with causing actual bodily harm and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court alongside his brother on January 16.
CPS statement on the charges
Frank Ferguson, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Following our review of an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024, the Crown Prosecution Service has today issued charges against two individuals.
“This was a high-profile incident that attracted significant public interest and media coverage at the time, and we have worked closely from the outset with investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Greater Manchester Police.
“We have reviewed all the available evidence, including witness statements, video footage, expert reports and other material related to police use of force, to make an independent and objective assessment about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the court to consider.
“Based on a careful consideration of this evidence, we have concluded that two men should be charged with offences including assaults on police officers.
“We have concluded no charges should be brought against any officers. We examined potential offences of actual bodily harm, and common assault, and reviewed expert evidence in the form of an independent report from an expert in the use of police force, to inform this decision.
“We always ensure police training is also taken into account in the context of these decisions, and in this case the combination of evidence, and the expert opinion meant there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
“We acknowledge that in this case as in any other, the strength of feeling has been high.
“Our specially trained prosecutors are often at the forefront of dealing with high-profile cases subject to intense public and media scrutiny and will always make independent and objective decisions based on all available evidence.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and each of the defendants has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Protests were held across Rochdale and Manchester after the footage emerged in the summer.
The brothers later claimed they were threatened by an officer and thrown to the ground.
As a result, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) announced a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) constable was under criminal investigation for assault.
The watchdog later said a second officer was also being probed following an alleged incident shortly afterwards when two other men were arrested.
In a separate probe, GMP passed a “comprehensive” file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service as part of its investigation after three of its officers were injured.
The force claimed armed cops were subject to a “violent” attack while trying to make an arrest at the airport.
They had been scrambled to Terminal 2 following reports of a bust-up between two groups who had travelled from Doha.
The viral video first showed an officer appearing to kick and stamp on Amaaz’s head before he was shot with a Taser.
Further footage then emerged days later showing the lead up to the alleged attack when two female police officers were hit to the ground.
Four men – including Amaaz and his brother – were arrested on suspicion of affray and assault following the incident and were later bailed.
Timeline of events relating to incident at Manchester Airport
Footage of an incident at Manchester Airport between police officers and members of the public went viral on social media in July.
A timeline below sets out what happened:
July 23:
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), an altercation takes place between passengers from a Qatar Airways flight which arrives at Manchester Airport at 7.20pm.
A second incident, which police describe as a “violent altercation involving members of the public”, happens in the Starbucks of Terminal Two just after 8.20pm.
A third incident happens in the car park pay point area shortly before 8.30pm.
Brothers Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and Muhammed Amaad, 25 and their mother Shameem Akhtar, 56, from Rochdale, are allegedly assaulted.
Police say three of their officers receive head injuries, including a broken nose.
Four men are arrested at the scene for affray and assault on emergency service workers.
July 24:
A police officer is removed from operational duties after footage of the incident, appearing to show a man being kicked and having his head stamped on as he lies on the floor, is shared online.
Police make a voluntary referral of their response to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
That night, an estimated 200 people gather outside Rochdale police station to protest in response. GMP say the protest concludes “without incident”
July 25:
A GMP officer is suspended from all duties. The IOPC confirms it is independently investigating the level of force used.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says he has seen full footage of the incident, which shows a “fast-moving and complicated” situation with “issues for both sides”.
Protests in Manchester city centre that evening involve blocked roads and tram lines while videos online appear to show a handful of demonstrators with their faces covered, throwing eggs at Rochdale police station.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh says he has spoken to the family involved and they want to appeal for calm.
July 26:
The IOPC announces that a police constable is under criminal investigation for assault and has been told he is being investigated for potential gross misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of professional standards, including his use of force.
Former Rochdale MP George Galloway visits the town and says he plans to meet the family involved.
July 27:
New footage, appearing to show events in the moments before the video which has already been shared, becomes public.
The Manchester Evening News publishes the video, which appears to show men throwing punches at officers.
Two female officers appear to be struck, with one ending up on the ground.
August 1:
Solicitor for the family, Aamer Anwar, says he has spoken with the IOPC about lodging a formal complaint against officers and says the family wants to understand on what legal basis Mr Burnham was shown the complete CCTV.
August 6:
The family and their lawyer hold a press conference in which they outline their version of events.
August 8:
The IOPC reveals a second officer is under criminal investigation for assault, relating to an incident shortly afterwards when two other men were arrested.
The watchdog’s acting regional director Catherine Bates says its investigation is ongoing in parallel with a GMP investigation into whether criminal offences were committed by members of the public.
August 15:
GMP says a “comprehensive file of evidence” has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice as part of an investigation into a series of alleged criminal offences.
September 5:
The family meet with the IOPC to discuss progress on its investigation.
September 6:
A spokesman for the police watchdog says it will investigate whether someone employed by the force shared footage.
October 7:
MPs from Reform UK write to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, pledging to launch a private prosecution against those involved if charges are not brought by the CPS.
November 18:
The CPS says it is still “considering material” and working with police and the IOPC while inquiries continue.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the party will make a legal application.
December 20:
It is announced that Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, has been charged with two offences of causing actual bodily harm, one charge of assaulting an emergency worker and one charge of common assault, and Muhammed Amaad, 25, has been charged with one count of causing actual bodily harm.
No police officers will be charged, the CPS says.