Family involved in GMP Manchester Airport video 'have no political agenda' says Rochdale MP

The Rochdale family involved in the viral video showing a man being kicked and stamped on by a GMP officer at Manchester Airport have called for calm, the town's MP says.

The brutal footage of the incident in a car park at Terminal 2 on Tuesday evening sparked a huge backlash and widespread concern after it emerged yesterday (Wednesday). An officer has been suspended as watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigate.

Around 200 people gathered outside Rochdale Police Station to protest against their treatment on Wednesday night. Hundreds more joined a rally organised by Manchester Stand Up to Racism in the city centre this evening (Thursday).

READ MORE: GMP officer in Manchester Airport video referred to police watchdog for second time over use of spray

Demonstrators blocked roads and tram lines for over an hour after marching from outside the offices of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, whose role includes oversight of GMP.

However, Rochdale's newly-elected MP Paul Waugh said tonight that after speaking to the family, they had 'no political agenda' and 'did not want to take part in any protests.'

He also warned against 'extremists' attempting to 'hijack' the situation 'for their own ends.' In a lengthy statement published on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Waugh said: "I have spoken to the family involved in the incident at Manchester Airport on Tuesday night, and it is clear they are deeply traumatised by what happened.

The family, who are my constituents in Rochdale, have two priorities. The first and most immediate priority is the health and wellbeing of their family members, including their mother. Their second priority is the need for justice to be done and seen to be done.

"But the