This incident occurred 6 days ago. The man in question is
Brian Haw, a political activist who has maintained a legal, peaceful anti-war protest in Parliament Square for the past 5 years.
His account of the incident is recorded
here in Wikipedia:
On January 12, Haw was at an unauthorised protest against the Serious and Organised Crime Police Act, outside Downing Street. Seven people were arrested (including Haw), Haw said "I was filming the students lying down in the road when one officer stepped forward, as I was walking back, and pushed the camera with his hand. It struck my face." He accused the police of using "violent and humiliating force".
The video is disturbing on a number of levels:
- The police inspector dismisses Haw and refuses to address his complaint, despite the fact that Haw was able to give the badge number of the police officer who struck him
- During the course of his arrest, Haw is unnecessarily dragged to the ground by four policemen (!) and handcuffed (why?)
- Haw is then forced to walk doubled over, with his head halfway to his knees, as the police bundle him into their van; again, what is the reason for this treatment
- When questioned by protesters, the police are unable to explain why Haw is being arrested
While I'm aware that the UK's Keystone Kops aren't exactly famous for their competence and professionalism (
ahem,
ahem,
ahem), they appear to have plumbed new depths of thuggery in this latest escapade.