G20 officer: Ian Tomlinson was to blame for confrontation
The policeman who pushed Ian Tomlinson to the ground moments before he died blamed him for provoking the clash, the inquest heard today.
Pc Simon Harwood said that 47-year-old newspaper seller had "almost invited a physical confrontation" during the G20 protest in London .
He went on to claim that his police training entitled him to use his baton against someone who was posing no threat. He also refused to accept that video evidence proved he had pushed Mr Tomlinson in the back.
As members of Mr Tomlinson's family sobbed, their QC told the officer: "You are a liar and you know it."
In a third day of evidence from the witness box, Pc Harwood was twice told by the coroner that he need not answer questions which might incriminate him. But the officer insisted: "Thank you sir, but I am here to help."
The court has heard that Mr Tomlinson played no part in the G20 protest in the City in April 2009.
After being struck and shoved by Pc Harwood at Royal Exchange Buildings he was helped to his feet by passers-by and staggered 100 yards before collapsing in Cornhill. He was pronounced dead 40 minutes later. Matthew Ryder QC, representing the family, took Pc Harwood through a statement he gave in a Independent Police Complaints Commission interview in July 2009.
"You are practically blaming Mr Tomlinson," the QC told the officer. "You told the IPCC that Mr Tomlinson 'was almost inviting a physical confrontation in terms of being moved on'.
"You said: 'His posture was almost defiant. His hands remained in his pockets, he did not move away, he looked at the police officers approaching him as if he was simply intent on remaining where he was.'"
Said the barrister: "That is a lie, isn't it", adding: "Are you making it up as you go along?" Pc Harwood replied: "No."
Mr Ryder: "This is your proposed statement, are you saying it is the truth?" Pc Harwood: "From what I saw, yes."
Mr Ryder asked: "Are you saying, as a Met police officer, you are trained that you are entitled to baton someone who is no threat to you or to anybody else?" The officer replied: "It depends on the circumstances."
A freeze-frame of a video of the officer, having struck Mr Tomlinson with his baton, then shoving him to the ground was displayed on screens around the courtroom.
Mr Ryder: "You said on oath to this jury that you did not agree that he had his back to you. Look at the clip. Do you want to change your answer? The truth, please. Did he have his back to you? We are looking at the video in this room."
Pc Harwood: "I would like to know whether you are asking for an opinion from the video angle I'm viewing or from what I perceived at the time."
The coroner, Judge Peter Thornton QC, interrupted: "Just answer the question. When you struck him with the baton did he have his back to you or not?" PC Harwood: "At the time of doing so, no."
Mr Ryder: "When you pushed him did he have his back to you?" Pc Harwood: "No."
Mr Ryder: "You are lying, PC Harwood, and you know it." Pc Harwood: "No, I am just trying to help."
The case continues.
