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Ian Tomlinson G20 inquest jury considers verdict Ian Tomlinson unlawfully killed by Pc at G20 protests
(about 4 hours later)
The jury at the inquest into the death of Ian Tomlinson has retired to consider its verdict. Ian Tomlinson was unlawfully killed by a Metropolitan Police officer at the G20 protests, an inquest jury has said.
Jurors must decide whether Pc Simon Harwood acted illegally and directly caused the death of Mr Tomlinson at the G20 protests in London on 1 April 2009. The 47-year-old collapsed and died after he was hit by a baton and pushed to the ground by Pc Simon Harwood at the demonstrations on 1 April 2009.
As well as unlawful killing, the other verdicts available to the jury are misadventure, natural causes and open. The jury decided that Pc Harwood used "excessive and unreasonable" force in striking him.
Mr Tomlinson, 47, collapsed and died after he was hit by a baton and pushed to the ground by the officer. Mr Tomlinson, who was not taking part in the protests in London, posed no threat, the jury added.
Cause of death Criminal proceedings could reopen against Pc Harwood after jurors ruled he acted illegally, recklessly and dangerously.
Judge Peter Thornton QC, summing up at the inquest, said the jury had to decide if the baton strike and push were "unlawful" and "dangerous" and whether they inadvertently caused Mr Tomlinson's death. The case is set to be reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Met Police after the evidence of Pc Harwood and pathologist Dr Freddy Patel was discredited by the verdict.
The judge said the push on Mr Tomlinson did not have to be the "sole or principal" cause of death for jurors to return an unlawful killing verdict. 'Huge relief'
The jury has been told the Crown Prosecution Service could review its decision not to seek charges against police officers depending on its verdict. Last year, prosecutors said a decision not to pursue charges against Pc Harwood could be reviewed depending on the inquest findings.
The month-long hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in Fleet Street, central London, has heard Mr Tomlinson fell to the ground after Pc Harwood hit him on the thigh with a baton and then shoved him from behind. Jurors took four-and-a-half hours to reach their verdict. The other possible verdicts available to them were misadventure, natural causes and open.
Mr Tomlinson, who was not part of the G20 protest, got back to his feet but collapsed and died minutes later. Jules Carey, of the Tomlinson family's solicitors, said: "Today's decision is a huge relief to Mr Tomlinson's family.
"To many, today's verdict will seem like a statement of the blindingly obvious, however this fails to take account of the significant and many obstacles faced by the family over the last two years to get to this decision.
"The CPS will now review whether a prosecution will be brought following today's verdict and the way in which the evidence has been clarified during the inquest process."
'New evidence'
The CPS said a "thorough" review would take place.
A spokesman said: "It will take into account all of the evidence now available, including any new evidence that emerged at the inquest, the issues left by the coroner to the jury and the conclusions they reached.
"The review will be conducted as quickly as is compatible with the care and rigour required in a thorough exercise."
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it acknowledged the verdict and would be publishing various reports on the incident.