THE MET POLICE will still “consider misconduct proceedings” against the officer who heard today he will not be prosecuted for the death of Ian Tomlinson at last year’s G20 protest.
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The unnamed member of the crack Territorial Support Group was caught on video beating and shoving Tomlinson, who later died, allegedly as a result of injuries sustained in the 1 April 2009 attack.
But the TSG officer escaped prosecution for both manslaughter and assault after the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was not enough evidence for the former and that too much time had elapsed for the latter to be considered.
Nevertheless, such is the publicity surrounding the case that it is thought the officer will not go completely Scot free.
Now that criminal proceedings have been ruled out, the report into Tomlinson’s death made by the Independent Police Complaints Commission can be released, which could force the Met’s hand.
“We now await the IPCC’s investigation before being able to carefully consider appropriate misconduct proceedings,” said a Met spokesperson.
Misconduct typically leads to a suspension from the force, or warning over future conduct. Either is unlikely to go anywhere near far enough for Tomlinson’s family, who are to continue their campaign.
“You haven’t heard the last of us yet,” said Tomlinson’s son, Paul King.
“We feel very let down, very disappointed.”
