A police officer has been suspended after a video emerged showing a man being kicked in the head at Manchester Airport which has led to a furious protest outside a police station.
During the protest, demonstrators, some wearing face coverings and chanting "GMP shame on you'" were pictured outside Rochdale Police Station building, while others present let off fireworks.
It comes after a video filmed at Manchester Airport’s terminal two on Tuesday, 23 July, showed an officer, with a taser in his hand, appearing to kick and then stamp on the head of a man lying face down on the floor.
A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police has confirmed a police officer has been "suspended from all duties" and a referral has now been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for a "full independent investigation."
Footage was posted on social media of the incident
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It is claimed that policeman's actions came after one of those being detained attacked the officers, leaving one of them with a broken nose and two others also requiring hospital treatment.
Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry from GMP said: "A protest held last night outside Rochdale Police Station about our response at Manchester Airport has concluded safely, without incident.
"We understand the immense feeling of concern and worry that people feel about our response and fully respect their right to demonstrate their views peacefully. We have already referred our actions to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and will be in further discussions with them today.
"We have spent the evening listening to community feedback and will continue to engage with communities and elected members to maintain strong partnership links and understand local views."
WATCH: Shocking footage from Manchester Airport last night
During the demonstration speakers labelled the police 'institutionally racist' and the lead crowd in chants of "GMP, shame on you" with cries of "Allahu Akbar [God is greatest]" and "f*** the police" also heard.
One man holding a megaphone was hear telling listeners to remain peaceful at the protest, before adding "but tomorrow if we don't get justice, these motherf*****s are gonna get it."
A local Imam was seen trying to calm tensions within the crowd, telling them: "Rioting, being upset, is what these brothers want you to do.
"All I am asking is for you not to take the law into your own hands, be respectable citizens like our parents have taught us."
Paul Waugh, the town's recently elected Labour MP, wrote on social media: "The video footage of a Greater Manchester police officer kicking and stamping on a man in Manchester Airport is truly shocking and disturbing.
"Like many who have seen this clip, I am extremely concerned. I have had it confirmed that the man arrested is a Rochdale resident and I hope to meet the family as soon as possible."
A spokesperson from GMP said: "Following a thorough review of further information that has become available in relation to an incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday evening, Greater Manchester Police has suspended a police officer from all duties.
"We understand the deep concerns that have been widely raised with us, and will continue to meet and discuss these feelings with Greater Manchester residents and elected representatives, whilst this independent investigation takes place.
Former Rochdale MP and Worker's Party of Britain leader George Galloway
Reuters
George Galloway, the former MP for Rochdale, claimed on social media that one of the men who was arrested had family members in the police.
The Worker's Party of Britain leader said: "I spoke at some length to both the uncle and the brother of those who were savagely assaulted on the videos that you've seen. Both the uncle and the brother are serving police officers.
"This is important. This is a police family that was severely beaten by the police, stamping on their faces while they lay helpless and unresisting on the floor, kicking them in the head with police boots while they lay unresistant, helpless on the floor."
A police officer from Greater Manchester Police has been suspended (file pic)
PA
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: “We can confirm we are independently investigating the level of force used by a Greater Manchester Police officer as part of an incident in which a number of men were arrested at Manchester Airport on Tuesday 23 July. We have been advised by the force that the officer has now been suspended from all duties.
"We appreciate the footage which was shared on social media has attracted widespread shock and concern. It is vitally important we investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the incident. We are independent of the police and our investigation will be thorough and robust.
"Our enquiries are in their very early stages but we have already secured a significant amount of body worn video and CCTV footage which will be subject to detailed analysis. We appreciate people want answers and we will work to provide those answers as quickly as we can.
“Updates will be provided as our investigation progresses.”
