Death in the City

A New York fund manager emerged as a hero of the recession when he made available a cellphone video he recorded during the London G20 protests and it went viral. It shows Ian Tomlinson, a City newspaper vendor, walking home with his hands in his pockets. Suddenly he's struck from behind by a masked policeman and shoved violently to the ground. Minutes later Mr Tomlinson collapsed and died of a heart attack near the Bank of England.

"The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not getting any answers" said the unnamed New Yorker, who was in London on business. Scotland Yard had earlier issued a statement claiming that Tomlinson had no contact with police before they tried to resuscitate him. After the film appeared they had to change their story.

It is unknown why a masked police officer was permitted to patrol a British street in a crowd control operation. It is also unknown why the officer, who has been identified, has not been arrested, charged at a police station, given a cell to sleep in, and brought before a magistrate.

A criminal investigation is underway. (11/04/09)

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