The solicitor representing the family involved in the Manchester Airport incident has spoken out after new footage emerged of the violent scenes before a Greater Manchester Police officer kicked a man in the head.
Yesterday, the Manchester Evening Newsobtained the exclusive footage which was believed to capture the lead-up to the incident that has sparked controversy and protests since it emerged on social media. The previously shared footage appeared to show the officer kicking and stamping on a man's head as he lay on the ground.
The new footage captured the chaotic scenes before this moment, which involved two men and several police officers inside a car park at Terminal 2 on Tuesday (July 23). In the clip, one officer appeared to grab one man's hands in an attempt to restrain him before punches were thrown by the officer and the men.
READ NEXT: New Manchester Airport video shows violent scenes before man 'kicked' in head by GMP officer
One of the men - dressed in light blue - who had initially been detained then appeared to break free and throw a number of punches towards the female officers. The clip then showed both women receiving blows to the head and face with one punched to the ground.
Then, an officer appeared to point a taser towards the man before appearing to kick and stamp on his head as he lay on the ground. A GMP constable has been advised he is under criminal investigation for assault over the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday.
In light of the new footage, the solicitor who is said to be representing the family involved in the incident has said he 'does not promote violence'. Akhmed Yakoob, a 36-year-old solicitor from Birmingham who has nearly 210,000 followers on TikTok, shared a clip on X at around 6.25pm yesterday (Saturday), after the footage had been published.
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In the clip, he said: "I do not promote violence." He added: "I have been behind the de-escalation of the whole situation, I urged protesters at Rochdale police station to go home.
"I attended a protest in Manchester city centre where protesters were threatening to stop the trams from operating. I urged them not to do so and I calmed them down and they went home.
"I've been urging everyone not to attend the protest at Manchester Airport. We are not here to put the public life into difficulty.
"No, we want justice for the family and it will happen." Mr Yakoob also responded to another user on X who said that 'everyone is entitled to defence'.
The user added: "The case has complex layers and to help, brother @Akhmedyakoob1 put himself on the line. No doubt he will be receiving a barrage of distasteful comments but hats off to him for providing his services."
Mr Yakoob responded: "It’s normal I have been getting hate messages for years. The truth is people are quick to judge others actions whilst sitting at home.
"This case has been rightfully been highlighted. I do what I do from the heart and not for money."
Andy Burnham last night urged people 'not to rush to judgement' after the new footage emerged. The Greater Manchester Mayor previously said he had seen the 'full footage' leading up to the incident.
He said it was not a 'clearcut situation', explaining that a 'serious incident' had taken place before the situation escalated 'very quickly'. In a statement issued last night, the Labour mayor repeated his request 'not to rush to judgement'.
He asked people to 'step back' and allow the IOPC investigation to move forward. He said: “As I said on Thursday, this is a complicated situation with two sides to it. It is why I urged people not to rush to judgement.
"Following incidents in the run-up to the footage people have seen, four individuals were arrested and are now on police bail. It is frustrating that we have not been able to put more video into the public domain but that is because this is a live investigation.
“People now need to step back and allow the IOPC's criminal investigation into the officer’s conduct to move forward, alongside the parallel GMP investigation into other potential offences, so that a complete picture can be presented.
“Given all these investigations are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further.” On Friday night, the IOPC said a police constable is under criminal investigation for assault. The IOPC stressed it doesn't necessarily mean criminal charges will follow.
But the watchdog confirmed that after the conclusion of its investigation, a decision would be made over whether to refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service. Last night, GMP launched an appeal for information over three incidents which are said to have preceded the events captured in the video.
They said the first incident they are looking into is an 'altercation between passengers' from Qatar Airways flight QR023, from Doha to Manchester, which arrived at 7.20pm. "The altercation may have taken place during the flight or afterwards in the T2 baggage hall", they said.
They are also probing a 'violent disturbance involving members of the public in the T2 Starbucks' at at approximately 8.22pm. This was then followed by 'the assault of three police officers which occurred in the T2 car park pay point area at 8.28pm', they said.
"This resulted in the three officers receiving head injuries, including a broken nose" they added. The force has opened a Public Portal where information, images and video can be shared.
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