Student protests: pressure mounts on Met police chief

[Joanne98]

Source: The Guardian

Sir Paul Stephenson faces increasing pressure after footage emerges of a police officer not wearing ID at this week's protests

Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson faces mounting pressure after footage emerged showing an officer policing Thursday's student protests not wearing identification.

Following the G20 protests last year, during which Ian Tomlinson died after being pushed to the ground by a police officer not wearing ID, Stephenson said it was "absolutely unacceptable" for officers to cover or remove their shoulder tags bearing identification numbers.

However, a video taken by one of the protesters at the London demonstration clearly shows one officer not displaying her numerals.

The footage emerged as reports said Stephenson had offered to resign in the wake of this week's protests, with the Met heavily criticised after a protester was left requiring brain surgery due to allegedly being struck by a police baton, and protesters were able to attack a car carrying Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/12/student-protests-met-police-chief