Video released of police obstructing journalists at G20

Tuesday, 21 April 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

A video of riot police obstructing journalists at the G20 protests earlier this month has been released by the Liberal Democrats.

The video was taken by Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Tom Brake who was inside the kettle during the G20 protest as a legal observer.

In the video, a journalist with his press accreditation badge clearly visible, urges the police to call the number on the badge and verify his identity so he can leave the area.

The police refuse to do so.

Commenting, Tom Brake said: "This video raises concerns about the relationship between the police and the media during the G20 protests.

"This journalist was obstructed in his work as he was not allowed to leave the area. This was an attack on the freedom of the press.

"There are clear guidelines laying out how the police should deal with the media. The police must allow journalists to go about their business"

The video comes as the home affairs select committee interviewed leading figures in the police force and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about the policing of the G20 protests.

Today a third post-mortem was announced for Ian Tomlinson, the man who died during the protest.

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