Family's plea for calm

Armed officer faces eriminal assault probe over stamp video

- Chris Riches

A FIREARMS officer faces a criminal assault probe after a man of 19 was kicked in the head at Manchester Airport, the police watchdog last night said.

Footage shows Muhammad Fahir Amaaz being kicked and stamped while lying on the ground.

The Greater Manchester Police officer has been suspended, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct promised a "thorough and robust" investigation.

But the IOPC has also said the officer will face a criminal investigation and be interviewed under caution "as soon as possible".

It comes as the victim's family urged for peace after protesters brought chaos to Manchester city centre on Thursday by blocking roads and tram lines while masked men attacked Rochdale police station with eggs. The family, speaking through their MP Paul Waugh, have pleaded for calm amid fears political extremists may jump on the incident.