This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8008980.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| G20 probe 'must be independent' | G20 probe 'must be independent' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Campaigners have called for a "truly independent" inquiry into allegations that police used unnecessary violence to evict the G20 climate camp. | Campaigners have called for a "truly independent" inquiry into allegations that police used unnecessary violence to evict the G20 climate camp. |
| The Camp for Climate Action has dismissed an already-announced inquiry into the policing of G20 protests as "the police investigating themselves". | The Camp for Climate Action has dismissed an already-announced inquiry into the policing of G20 protests as "the police investigating themselves". |
| A new report contains fresh allegations of police brutality at the camp, set up in the city of London on April 1. | A new report contains fresh allegations of police brutality at the camp, set up in the city of London on April 1. |
| But the police have defended their actions on the day as "proportionate". | But the police have defended their actions on the day as "proportionate". |
| The Climate Camp's report has been sent to MPs, ministers and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in the hope of garnering support, say campaigners, for an inquiry free of police or ministerial interference. | The Climate Camp's report has been sent to MPs, ministers and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in the hope of garnering support, say campaigners, for an inquiry free of police or ministerial interference. |
| The protesters say they have doubts about the independence of the current inquiry, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police, and chaired by senior ex-Met officer Denis O'Connor for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC). | The protesters say they have doubts about the independence of the current inquiry, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police, and chaired by senior ex-Met officer Denis O'Connor for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC). |
| These attacks on the police must end Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever | These attacks on the police must end Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever |
| Mr O'Connor will be looking into three cases of alleged G20 police brutality - including the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, as well as the tactics officers employed on the day. | Mr O'Connor will be looking into three cases of alleged G20 police brutality - including the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson, as well as the tactics officers employed on the day. |
| So far the Independent Police Complaints Commission has had almost 90 complaints relating to the London protests. | So far the Independent Police Complaints Commission has had almost 90 complaints relating to the London protests. |
| A Climate Camp spokeswoman wrote: "We are concerned about the independence of [the HMIC] from the Home Office and the police and that it essentially involves, as we understand it, a senior ex-Met officer investigating the Met which we do not think is satisfactory. | A Climate Camp spokeswoman wrote: "We are concerned about the independence of [the HMIC] from the Home Office and the police and that it essentially involves, as we understand it, a senior ex-Met officer investigating the Met which we do not think is satisfactory. |
| "We are concerned that it is essentially the police investigating themselves. | "We are concerned that it is essentially the police investigating themselves. |
| "We call for parliamentarians to back calls for an inquiry into the policing of protest... undertaken by someone or somebody truly independent of the police and the Home Office." | "We call for parliamentarians to back calls for an inquiry into the policing of protest... undertaken by someone or somebody truly independent of the police and the Home Office." |
| The Home Office rejected the charge. | The Home Office rejected the charge. |
| A spokesman said: "HMIC is the independent Inspectorate of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and was established under statute. | A spokesman said: "HMIC is the independent Inspectorate of policing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and was established under statute. |
| "The home secretary is absolutely clear on the importance on that independence." | "The home secretary is absolutely clear on the importance on that independence." |
| Riot shields | Riot shields |
| The campaigners' report, Demonstrating Respect for Rights, contains new allegations about how police used violence to clear the area in front of the European Climate Exchange during the evening of April 1. | The campaigners' report, Demonstrating Respect for Rights, contains new allegations about how police used violence to clear the area in front of the European Climate Exchange during the evening of April 1. |
| The protesters say once journalists had left the area, officers used shields and truncheons against "non-violent" campaigners who had hoped to set up a 24-hour climate camp protest. | The protesters say once journalists had left the area, officers used shields and truncheons against "non-violent" campaigners who had hoped to set up a 24-hour climate camp protest. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| One witness, 27-year-old Louise Broadbent, is quoted as saying she was attacked twice "for no reason at all" by officers "using their riot shields as weapons". | One witness, 27-year-old Louise Broadbent, is quoted as saying she was attacked twice "for no reason at all" by officers "using their riot shields as weapons". |
| Ms Broadbent, who has asthma, said she was prevented from leaving an area being "kettled" - a police tactic of enclosing protesters and not allowing them to move on. | Ms Broadbent, who has asthma, said she was prevented from leaving an area being "kettled" - a police tactic of enclosing protesters and not allowing them to move on. |
| A police medic is said to have told her "they were under orders not to let anyone out under any circumstances, even for medical reasons". | A police medic is said to have told her "they were under orders not to let anyone out under any circumstances, even for medical reasons". |
| Footage of police clearing the protest has been released, and Scotland Yard said it would be "assessed and referred if necessary". | Footage of police clearing the protest has been released, and Scotland Yard said it would be "assessed and referred if necessary". |
| The climate campaigners also say the remit of Mr O'Connor's inquiry is "too narrow" and should cover how "protest in general" is being inhibited. | The climate campaigners also say the remit of Mr O'Connor's inquiry is "too narrow" and should cover how "protest in general" is being inhibited. |
| They are especially concerned that police appear to have ignored recommendations published last month by MPs on the Joint Human Rights Committee (JHRC). | They are especially concerned that police appear to have ignored recommendations published last month by MPs on the Joint Human Rights Committee (JHRC). |
| JHRC chairman Andrew Dismore told the BBC he was concerned at the campaigners' allegations. | JHRC chairman Andrew Dismore told the BBC he was concerned at the campaigners' allegations. |
| "We recommended police should facilitate the opportunity for peaceful protest. The impression I get so far is they did the opposite," he said. | "We recommended police should facilitate the opportunity for peaceful protest. The impression I get so far is they did the opposite," he said. |
| Climate campers say their peaceful protest should have been allowed | |
| Police continued to defend their protest strategy on Monday, with Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Ken Jones describing their actions as "proportionate". | Police continued to defend their protest strategy on Monday, with Association of Chief Police Officers president Sir Ken Jones describing their actions as "proportionate". |
| "We need to make sure we don't condemn the many for the problems created by a few," he told BBC Radio 4's Today. | "We need to make sure we don't condemn the many for the problems created by a few," he told BBC Radio 4's Today. |
| "I can't find any other country which doesn't use water cannon, CS gas, rubber bullets. Our approach is proportionate and, in fact, has delivered on many other occasions," he said. | "I can't find any other country which doesn't use water cannon, CS gas, rubber bullets. Our approach is proportionate and, in fact, has delivered on many other occasions," he said. |
| Police rank-and-file representatives also called for criticism of officers to cease. | Police rank-and-file representatives also called for criticism of officers to cease. |
| Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "These attacks on the police must end. | Paul McKeever, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: "These attacks on the police must end. |
| "What signal does it send to officers who volunteer to take on these high stress roles that they will be publicly castigated if they do?" | "What signal does it send to officers who volunteer to take on these high stress roles that they will be publicly castigated if they do?" |