CPS update after Manchester Airport passenger 'stamped on by police officer'

Two female police officers were hit to the ground before Fahir Amaaz was incapacitated with a stun gun

An update has been issued after violence broke out at Manchester Airport between two men and police officers. Footage of the incident - which appeared to show an officer kicking one of the men in the head - went viral on social media.

Armed police had been called to Terminal 2 following reports that a row had broken out after a plane had arrived from Doha. Fahir Amaaz, 19, and his brother Muhammed Amaad, 25, both from Rochdale, were restrained by officers.

After the first video went viral, further footage came to light showing the immediate lead-up to the incident on July 23. Two female police officers can be seen being hit to the ground before Mr Amaaz was incapacitated with a stun gun, Manchester Evening News reports.

And almost three-months on, the four people who were arrested all remain on police bail. Greater ManchesterPolice (GMP) have been investigating the actions of the individuals whilst the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) are looking into the actions of the officers.

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party threatened to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) it would mount a private prosecution if criminal charges were not brought. And today (Tuesday, October 15) a spokeswoman for the CPS has confirmed that no decision on charges has yet been made.

GMP handed the CPS a 'comprehensive file of evidence' in mid-August and lawyers are still weighing up the evidence 'carefully and thoroughly' and must make a final decision in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, which sets out the principles that must be followed in all prosecutions.

A CPS spokesperson said: "We are considering material and are providing advice in relation to a series of alleged criminal offences at Manchester Airport in July this year. We are working with Greater Manchester Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct while their enquiries continue."

Reform UK published a letter to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper signed by their leader Nigel Farage, their Deputy Leader Richard Tice, and their three fellow MPs Lee Anderson, Rupert Lowe and James McMurdock.

In it, they say the public have "very real concerns" about "two tier policing and two tier justice" as they questioned why the suspects have not yet been charged.

They said: "We have genuine reason to be concerned that in fact the CPS is awaiting for the IOPC to find some fault with the police officers, which will then give them a reason not to progress charges against the assailants. This is totally unacceptable.

“We are therefore serving notice that if the CPS is not going to charge the assailants, then we will organise a private criminal prosecution against them. We have taken initial advice and have a legal team on standby to progress when required.”

The prosecution would be crowdfunded if necessary, the letter added. A lawyer representing the men captured in the footage has accused Reform UK of 'pathetic grandstanding'.

A spokesperson for GMP said: "Following an investigation led by the GMP Major Incident Team, a comprehensive file of evidence was sent to the CPS in Mid-August, and we await a charging decision.

"We have avoided providing ongoing commentary on the case, including releasing footage, to ensure that justice can be served without the risk of prejudicing proceedings. We continue to support the officers involved and are committed to getting them justice."

The IOPC have previously said two officers are under criminal investigation for assault following the events. A spokesperson added: "The serving of notices does not necessarily mean criminal charges or misconduct proceedings will follow.

"At the end of our investigation we will decide whether to refer the matter to the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision and decide whether the officer should face disciplinary proceedings."