TOMLINSON INQUEST

The inquest into the police killing of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 protests (see SchNEWS 672) began on Tuesday (29th).

The inquest has already heard how PC Harwood, the TSG officer who struck Tomlinson moments before he died, had been involved in a number of violent incidents beforehand. He was witnessed ramming one protester’s head against a van and even dragging a press photographer to the ground.

Meanwhile, the pathologist who initially stated Tomlinson had died of natural causes, Dr Freddy Patel, has been suspended from the medical register following his misconduct in a murder case.

Although the inquest is investigating Tomlinson’s death, it was already decided last July that charges would not be brought against Harwood (see SchNEWS 732).