Manchester Airport 'stamp' incident: Criminal investigation launched into source of CCTV footage given to Manchester Evening News

A criminal investigation has been launched into who gave Manchester Airport CCTV footage to the Manchester Evening News following the police 'stamp' incident. The M.E.N. initially broke the story of a phone video of an officer appearing to kick and stamp on a man after it was widely shared on social media.

Greater Manchester Police were called to an 'altercation' between members of the public at Terminal Two on July 23, the force said. Cops were subjected to a 'violent assault' while trying to make an arrest, GMP added.

A male officer could be seen in the footage aiming a Taser at a man as he lay on the ground. The officer then appeared to kick and stamp on the man's head. The scenes of chaos continued as a female officer appeared to aim a Taser at other people.

READ MORE: Man arrested on Manchester Airport flight has case thrown out - because of police officer who handcuffed him

The story, published on July 24, sparked controversy and protests. The M.E.N. published a second piece of video footage in an article on July 27. In an accompanying piece, we explained the rationale behind our decision to publish the exclusive clip, which showed the moments leading up to the incident.

The second video captured a group of people standing around a ticket machine inside a car park. Three officers - one male and two females - appeared to walk through the group of people towards a man. An officer appeared to grab a man's hands in an attempt to restrain him.

The male officer then appeared to push the man's head down as his colleagues stood beside him. Another member of the public then grabbed the male officer before punches were thrown and the detained man broke free. That man then threw punches, the video appeared to show.

On