‘TikTok lawyer’ for Manchester airport victim’s family resigns over ‘sabotage’ allegations

The lawyer for the family responsible for the Manchester Airport police incident has announced in a new video on social media that he is “stepping aside” and allowing another lawyer to take over the case.

Akhmed Yakoob, who represented those involved, has spoken to the press regularly since video footage first emerged of a man being kicked in the head during an arrest at the airport on Tuesday. In the days that followed, protests have taken place across Manchester, condemning what protesters have called police brutality.

On Saturday, the Manchester Evening News revealed new footage believed to show the build-up to the incident that has sparked controversy and protests, and reportedly shows the violent brawl that took place in the moments before the officer appears to kick one of the men. The previously shared footage began with the officer kicking and stamping on a man’s head as he lay on the ground.

Yakoob, a Birmingham lawyer with almost 210,000 followers on TikTok who reportedly represented the family and has repeatedly spoken to the media on their behalf, has now announced he is “stepping aside” and has “recommended a lawyer” for the family involved, the MEN reported tonight.

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“The media has tried to sabotage me, it’s not the first time they’ve done this,” he said in the clip. “They’ve made this whole situation about me and not about police misconduct. So, after consulting with the family, I’ve decided to step aside for now and I’ve recommended the family to a lawyer. But I’m going to keep a close eye on this. I want to say that I’m not in favor of violence, whether it’s from police officers or civilians. Always remember that.”

New footage has emerged of the chaotic scenes that led to an arrest that took place in a Terminal 2 car park on Tuesday, July 23. The video shows two men and several police officers involved in a violent scuffle.

An officer attempts to restrain one of the men before both parties exchange blows. A man, dressed in light blue, who was initially arrested, manages to break free and delivers multiple blows to the female officers present. The footage then shows both women receiving blows to the head and face, with one being knocked to the ground.

An officer aims a Taser at one of the men before appearing to kick him and stamp on his head as he lies on the ground. A Greater Manchester Police officer is now being investigated for assault over the incident, according to a statement released by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on Friday.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has urged the public not to be too quick to judge following the publication of the new footage. He previously said he had viewed the “full footage” leading up to the incident. He described the situation as not “clear” and explained that a “serious incident” had occurred before the situation escalated “very quickly”.