PC Harwood will face a trial for manslaughter over the death of Ian Tomlinson.
Statement from Ian Tomlinson Family Campaign
We welcome today’s decision to bring a charge of manslaugher against the officer. We believe this is the right decision. What we have always wanted is to achieve justice for Ian and to show that police officers are not above the law.
And as Kevin observes: Today’s decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge PC Simon Harwood with the manslaughter of Ian Tomlinson, the newspaper seller who died during the G20 protests in 2009, is hugely significant precisely because it is so unusual. Statistics from the custody-death campaigners INQUEST show that in the last twenty years, there have been nine ‘unlawful killing’ verdicts reached at coroner’s court inquests concerning deaths in police custody and one ‘narrative’ verdict that placed the spotlight firmly on police conduct. Of these, three decisions were later quashed.
Let’s hope justice will be done.
It depends on your definition of justice.
It is another bad year for the concept that no one is beyond the law. Although this police officer is being prosecuted for manslaughter, it is my understanding, that he has NOT been arrested and is NOT in custody. There is a summons
Any member of the public would be arrested for this offence (and much lesser offences may I add) spending time in jail – so the questions remains: Why has he still got liberty (whilst also still on full pay since he went on “sick” leave over 2 years ago)?
I am hoping justice will be served post-trial but it seems fate has his back; I wouldnt be surprised if he was out in 4 years.