Police issue update on Manchester Airport arrest video - amid Reform UK threat

Reform have published a letter addressed to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over the incident

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say they are still awaiting a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding the events leading up to the viral video of an arrest at Manchester Airport. This comes as the Reform Party threatens to launch private prosecutions against the suspects if no charges are brought forward.

The video is alleged to appear to show a police officer kicking and stamping on the head of 19-year-old Fahir Amaaz while he and his brother, Muhammed Amaad, 25, were being restrained by officers.

Additional footage obtained by the Manchester Evening News is alleged to show two police officers knocked to the ground in the lead-up to the incident on July 23, before Mr Amaaz was incapacitated with a Taser.

Two people were arrested following the incident. GMP has been investigating the actions of the individuals involved, while the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining the actions of the officers.

On Monday (October 7), Reform UK published a letter addressed to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, signed by their leader Nigel Farage, Deputy Leader Richard Tice, and MPs Lee Anderson, Rupert Lowe and James McMurdock. In the letter, they express public "very real concerns" about "two tier policing and two tier justice", questioning why the suspects have not yet been charged.

The letter states they would be prepared to launch legal action in the future. "We have taken initial advice and have a legal team on standby to progress when required," reports the Manchester Evening News.

The letter adds that the prosecution would be crowdfunded if necessary.

In response, a GMP spokesperson said: "Following an investigation led by the GMP Major Incident Team, a comprehensive file of evidence was sent to the CPS in Mid-August, and we await a charging decision. We have avoided providing ongoing commentary on the case, including releasing footage, to ensure that justice can be served without the risk of prejudicing proceedings. We continue to support the officers involved and are committed to getting them justice."

The M. E. N has approached the CPS for comment.

The IOPC have previously said two officers are under criminal investigation for alleged assault following the events. "The serving of notices does not necessarily mean criminal charges or misconduct proceedings will follow," they said.

"At the end of our investigation we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings."