This footage of Ian Tomlinson, the man who died at last week's G20 protest in the City of London first appeared on the Guardian website. It is now all over the press and the blogosphere. The footage was shot by a fund manager from New York who was in London on business, said he had attended the protests out of curiosity. He said: "The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not getting any answers."
It was not long after this assault that Tomlinson died of a heart attack. An official police statement on the night of his death made no reference to any contact with officers and described attempts by police medics and an ambulance crew to save his life after he collapsed – efforts which they said were marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered .
Whether the actions of the police precipitated Mr Tomlinson’s heart attack or not, the actions of the police in the footage were an utter disgrace. The officer who downed Mr Tomlinson is simply not fit to wear the uniform.
