Police face inquiry over G20 protest 'dissembling'

Scotland Yard is to be investigated for its handling of the media following the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 demonstrations. His family has accused the police of issuing "misinformation" in the wake of the tragedy.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will examine concerns that the Yard and the City of London Police misinformed the public about the circumstances of the newspaper seller's death or did not correct misleading information released after 1 April. The family of Mr Tomlinson has complained that police knew officers had come into contact with the newspaper seller before he died but failed to say so until video footage emerged six days later showing him being pushed to the ground and struck with a baton.

In its first statement on the incident, issued on 1 April, the Yard said officers had tried to revive Mr Tomlinson after being alerted by the public. Deborah Glass, the IPCC's deputy chairman, said the investigation would try to establish the "state of knowledge" both forces had about their contact with Mr Tomlinson.