Family of man ‘hit’ in the head at Manchester Airport break silence as new footage emerges

The family of the man who appeared to be punched and stomped on by police at Manchester Airport have issued a “plea for calm” and called for an end to the protests, according to his MP. Paul Waugh, the new Labor MP for Rochdale, shared a statement written by the family.

It urges people to give those involved “time to heal” and “due process to take its course”. Footage of the incident at the airport, where police arrested four men suspected of brawling and assaulting an emergency worker before releasing them on bail, sparked protests across the country.

A statement issued on behalf of the family said: “The family of the incident at Manchester Airport have issued an appeal for calm and healing, asking that people refrain from attending the planned demonstration at Manchester Airport this weekend. We would not want anyone to be disturbed because a result.

Read more New Manchester Airport video shows what happened before police officer ‘hit’ man in the head

“I also ask that they stop protesting, stressing the importance of giving them time to heal and for due process to take its course. The family appreciates the support but urges everyone to respect their wishes during this difficult time.”

The video, shared on social media and filmed at the airport’s Terminal Two on Tuesday, showed an officer appearing to kick and punch a man in the head as he lay face down on the floor with a woman kneeling next to him . It also appeared to show the officer struck a second man.

But new footage shared by the Manchester Evening News this evening showed the violent moments before the controversial incident, with two police officers seen being attacked.

Mr Waugh shared an image of the family’s statement on X Saturday morning and wrote: “We have checked with the family about the incident at Manchester airport and this remains their latest message to all communities. They launched a plea for calm and asked no. further protests – they want due process to take its course and urge everyone to respect their wishes.

“Yesterday’s meeting in Rochdale made it clear that this is a community that strongly believes in the rule of law, that the criminal justice system should follow the evidence wherever it leads and that criminals should be punished accordingly. Those present also rightly emphasized that the law should be applied equally to all – and that no one, especially the police, should be above the law.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday that a Greater Manchester Police officer has been told he is being investigated for assault following the incident.

The officer was also given a disciplinary notice to inform him that he is being investigated for potential serious misconduct for a number of alleged breaches of police professional standards, including the use of force, a spokesman said.