Riot officer faces disciplinary action

A riot squad officer filmed hitting a man who later died with his baton and pushing him to the ground will face charges of gross misconduct.

Pc Simon Harwood, a member of Scotland Yard's territorial support group, has been told he will face a disciplinary hearing over his actions at the G20 protest last year.

The officer escaped criminal charges last week after prosecutors found that conflicting medical evidence undermined a potential case of manslaughter.

Ian Tomlinson, 47, a newspaper seller, collapsed in the street and died several minutes after being pushed from behind by the officer and falling heavily.

His family welcomed the decision. Their solicitor said there was an "overwhelming argument" for the misconduct proceedings to be held in public.

Sir Paul Stephenson, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said: "It is right and proper that we do move swiftly with those misconduct proceedings. It is also right that there is a full public exposure of the facts at the inquest and this will now be a matter for the coroner."