Manchester airport fracas lawyer steps aside after ‘assassination’ comments | UK News

The lawyer representing a man who was kicked in the head and stamped on by a police officer at Manchester Airport has stepped aside.

Akhmed Yakoob claimed that 19-year-old Fahir Amaaz was the target of an “attempted assassination” that had left him “fighting for his life”.

However, new footage has emerged showing an alleged assault of three police officers at Manchester Airport in the moments before a man was kicked in the head.

The video, obtained by the Manchester Evening News, shows the chaotic scenes which led to an officer kicking and stamping on the head of a man who was lying face down on the floor.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Friday that the officer had been advised he was under criminal investigation for assault.

A decision will then be made on whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service and whether the officer involved should face disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Yakoob – who was also representing Fahir’s brother Amaad and their elderly mother – claimed the media had tried to “sabotage” him since the incident and his claims.

Speaking on Sunday night in a video uploaded on social media, he said: “You may have seen the various media reports about me in the last couple of days.

“The media have tried to sabotage me. It’s not the first time they’ve done this though, but they’ve made this whole situation about me rather than police brutality and police misconduct, which is unfair on Greater Manchester police and the family.

“So after consulting with the family I have decided for now to step aside and I have recommended the family to a lawyer.

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Aamer Anwar has replaced Mr Yakoob representing the family and he said he has already spoken to the IOPC.

He also all accused “so-called police sources” of trying to create a “false narrative” and alleged that Fahir’s mother had been the victim of racist abuse.

Police are appealing for witnesses over three incidents in Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2 on Tuesday, including two altercations before what they describe as an assault of three police officers.

All suffered head injuries, including a female constable who suffered a broken nose, and four men were arrested, who have since been released on bail.

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Following the sharing of footage on social media showing part of the incident, protests broke out.

On Wednesday, a crowd protested outside Rochdale police station, reportedly shouting “GMP shame on you”, while on Thursday, demonstrators blocked roads and tram lines in a protest which started outside Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham’s office in Manchester.

But speaking through their local MP, Paul Waugh, the family appealed for calm and urged people not to take part in any further protests.

Speaking to Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Mr Burnham said: “It’s a complicated situation, a very violent situation, actually, and there were issues on both sides.

“That’s why I asked other people not to rush to judgment because of the complexity of it.

“And simply nobody out there – everyone who’s having their say – nobody has got all of the facts”