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  • 16 years ago

A riot squad officer filmed knocking Ian Tomlinson to the ground during the G20 protests will not be prosecuted over his death, it has been announced.

The decision follows an independent inquiry into the clash on the fringes of G20 demonstrations in the City of London on April 1 last year.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer said that after a thorough review of the case, the Crown Prosecution Service had concluded there was "no realistic prospect" of a conviction.

Mr Starmer said: "After a thorough and careful review of the evidence, the CPS has decided that there is no realistic prospects of a conviction against the police officer in question for any offence arising from the matter investigated and that no charges should be brought against him."

Mr Starmer added there is a "fundamental" disagreement among medical experts about what led to Mr Tomlinson's death.

The death of Mr Tomlinson, 47, became global news after amateur video evidence emerged that challenged the original official version of events.

Police told the newspaper seller's widow and nine children he died of a heart attack after being caught up in crowded streets around the protests.

But footage later showed Mr Tomlinson being struck from behind by a member of the Metropolitan Police's controversial territorial support group.

Members of the Tomlinson family were told of the decision at the headquarters of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in central London. They have criticised the CPS for taking too long to reach a decision after several delays.
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