Scotland Yard apologised today to the family of Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground by PC Simon Harwood during protests in 2009, as the force confirmed it has reached an out-of-court settlement with his family.
Scotland Yard today apologised to relatives of Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground during protests in 2009, as it confirmed that an out-of-court settlement has been reached with his family.
The 47-year-old was hit with a baton and shoved by PC Simon Harwood during G20 demonstrations in the City of London, and later collapsed and died.
Today the Metropolitan Police paid tribute to the pain that his widow Julia and family have "endured with dignity" since his death.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner said:
"I take full responsibility for the actions of Simon Harwood on 1 April 2009. His actions fell far below the standard we expect from our officers. I accept the finding of the inquest that Mr Tomlinson was unlawfully killed.
"As the jury found, 'at the time of the strike and push Mr Tomlinson was walking away from the police line. He was complying with police instructions to leave Royal Exchange Buildings. He posed no threat'.
Today, I apologise unreservedly for Simon Harwood's use of excessive and unlawful force, which caused Mr Tomlinson's death, and for the suffering and distress caused to his family as a result."
The widow of Ian Tomlinson said that an apology and settlement from Scotland Yard is "as close as we are going to get to justice".
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police says all the litigation between the Commissioner and the Tomlinson family has been resolved.