Riot squad officer to face disciplinary hearing over G20 death

A riot squad officer filmed hitting Ian Tomlinson with his baton and pushing him to the ground could be sacked after being accused of gross misconduct.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Jul 2010, 00:58 BST

Updated 28th Jul 2010, 00:59 BST

Pc Simon Harwood, a member of Scotland Yard's territorial support group, will face a disciplinary hearing over his actions at the G20 protest in the city of London last year.

He avoided criminal charges last week after senior prosecutors concluded that conflicting medical evidence undermined a potential case of manslaughter.

Newspaper seller Mr Tomlinson, 47, collapsed in the street and died several minutes after being pushed from behind and falling heavily.

Senior officers and watchdog officials are considering whether to exercise rarely used powers to hold the disciplinary hearing in public.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said: "It is right and proper that we do move swiftly with those misconduct proceedings.

"It is also right that there is a full public exposure of the facts at the inquest and this will now be a matter for the coroner."