G20 death: Officer will not face charges

A RIOT squad officer, filmed shoving a man to the ground during violent G20 protests in London last year, will not face criminal charges over his death, Britain’s chief prosecutor said yesterday.

Ian Tomlinson, 47, died after being caught up in a demonstration outside the Bank of England where confrontations between anti-capitalist groups, environmental campaigners and riot police had broken out.

The newspaper-seller was walking slowly, with his hands in his pockets, away from a line of riot squad officers when one moved forward, hit him on the leg with a baton and then pushed him forcefully in the back.