A British police officer has been suspended after videos surfaced showing officers beating men at Manchester Airport, prompting public outrage and accusations of police racism. The incident, labeled “truly shocking” by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), involved officers kicking and stomping on at least three men, with one officer seen kicking a man in the head.

The footage went viral, leading to protests outside the GMP headquarters in Rochdale. The police stated that the confrontation began after three officers were injured in a “violent assault,” with one female officer suffering a broken nose. GMP voluntarily referred the incident to Britain’s Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for a full investigation. The IOPC confirmed it had launched an investigation, emphasizing the importance of addressing the widespread concern.

In response to the videos, the officer involved has been suspended. Akhmed Yaqoob, a solicitor for the family of the man who was stomped on, reported that his client’s medical condition had worsened overnight, revealing a cyst on his brain. Yaqoob stated that the family is traumatized and has filed a complaint against the police. The videos have drawn criticism from both the public and politicians, with accusations of racism given the apparent ethnic differences between the officers and the men being beaten.

The incident has intensified scrutiny on GMP, which has faced previous allegations of racial discrimination. Just last week, GMP suspended five officers following a racial discrimination report in Bury. The force stated it is “deeply concerned” by the latest allegations and pledged to take necessary actions.

Political figures have also reacted strongly to the videos. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged public concern, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the need for police to maintain public trust. In contrast, Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, defended the police, suggesting their use of force was justified given the seriousness of the situation.