‘TikTok lawyer’ representing family involved in Manchester Airport police incident ‘steps down’

The lawyer representing the family involved in the police incident at Manchester Airport has announced he is “stepping down” in a new video on social media.

Akhmed Yakoob supported those involved and spoke frequently to the media after video footage first emerged of a man being kicked in the head during an arrest at the airport last Tuesday (July 23).

And on Saturday (July 27), the Manchester Evening News has obtained exclusive new footage believed to capture the lead-up to the incident that sparked controversy and protests.

READ MORE: New Manchester Airport video shows violent scenes before man ‘hit’ in the head by GMP officer

Footage previously shared appeared to show the officer kicking and headbutting a man as he lay on the ground.

Yakoob, a Birmingham lawyer with nearly 210,000 followers on TikTok who was said to be representing the family and has repeatedly spoken to the media on their behalf, has now announced he is “stepping aside” and has “recommended an attorney” for the family involved.

“The press tried to sabotage me, it’s not the first time they’ve done that,” he said in the clip. “They made this whole situation about me and not about police misconduct.

“So, after consulting with the family, I have decided to step aside for the time being and have referred the family to a lawyer. But, I will keep an eye on this.

“I would like to say that I am not for violence, whether it is from police officers or civilians. Always remember that.”

It comes after new footage emerged showing the chaotic scenes leading up to the arrest involving two men and several police officers in a car park at Terminal 2 on Tuesday (July 23).

In the clip, an officer appeared to grab a man’s hands in an attempt to restrain him before the officer and the men punched him. One of the men – dressed in light blue – who had initially been restrained, then appeared to break free and throw a series of punches at the officers. The clip then showed both women being hit in the head and face, with one knocked to the ground.

An officer then appeared to point a Taser at the man, before appearing to punch and kick him in the head as he lay on the ground. A GMP officer has been told he is being investigated for assault over the incident, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday.

And Andy Burnham last night urged people “not to rush to judgement” after the new footage emerged. The mayor of Greater Manchester previously said he had seen the “full records” leading up to the incident.

He said it was not a “clear-cut situation”, explaining that a “serious incident” had occurred before the situation escalated “very quickly”.