Manchester Airport attack footage leak sparks IOPC inquiry

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has initiated an inquiry into the leak of CCTV footage showing a violent incident involving police officers at Manchester Airport on July 23, 2024. The footage depicted a brutal assault on three officers by two brothers during an attempted arrest, which had previously led to public outcry over allegations of police brutality after mobile phone footage went viral. The IOPC is investigating whether any officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were responsible for providing the footage to the media, specifically the Manchester Evening News (MEN). The IOPC received a conduct referral from GMP following a press conference on August 6, where concerns about the video’s source were raised. The investigation aims to determine if the footage was leaked by a GMP employee and to assess the justification for such an action. The MEN has refused to comply with requests from the IOPC for access to the footage, citing journalistic rights and the importance of press freedom. As the inquiry unfolds, one officer has been suspended and is under criminal investigation, while another officer faces scrutiny over a separate incident. The situation has sparked significant outrage, with critics labeling the IOPC's pursuit of the leak as 'Orwellian' and suggesting that the police should have released the footage promptly to mitigate public distrust. The incident has raised broader questions about police transparency and accountability, particularly in light of the public's reaction to the earlier mobile phone footage that ignited protests. The outcome of the IOPC's investigation may have lasting implications for the relationship between the police and the community they serve.