Police accused in fresh G20 dossier
Police are facing new accusations of brutality against G20 protesters as MPs prepare to raise questions over the choice of tactics.
Lawyers acting for climate change activists will deliver a dossier to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) containing hundreds of witness statements.
Activists claim they were attacked by police who used shields and truncheons to break up their 'Climate Camp' in the City of London on the evening of April 1.
Louise Broadbent, 27, said she was attacked twice "for no reason at all" by officers "using their riot shields as weapons" outside the European Climate Exchange.
The asthma sufferer 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 told her "they were under orders not to let anyone out under any circumstances, even for medical reasons", she said.
The dossier also calls for police to wear large numbers on the front and back of their uniforms so they can easily be identified. Lawyers accuse officers of trying to hide their identities and targeting protesters carrying video cameras.
The IPCC's head, Nick Hardwick, and Denis O'Connor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, are due to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee.
The watchdog is already carrying out three investigations connected to the G20 protests.
The death of Ian Tomlinson from internal bleeding has resulted in the suspension of an officer seen clubbing the newspaper seller and shoving him to the floor.
Investigators are also examining an allegation of assault by a sergeant seen slapping Nicola Fisher in the face before beating her across the legs with his truncheon. The third investigation concerns a 23-year-old man who claims he was dragged to the floor and hit several times by a police officer.
