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Police face inquiry as Asian leader says he was assaulted
Police in London face an inquiry after an Asian community leader has claimed he was assaulted by officers while trying to calm another night of disturbances in Burnley town in Lancashire, scene of racial clashes resulting in burning of two shops, a pub and five cars.
Police in London face an inquiry after
an Asian community leader has claimed he was assaulted by
officers while trying to calm another night of disturbances in
Burnley town in Lancashire, scene of racial clashes resulting
in burning of two shops, a pub and five cars.
Shahid Malik, a member of commission for racial equality
and Labour party's national executive committee, last night
said he was hit in the face with a riot shield and
subsequently became unconscious. He needed hospital treatment
for concussion and had five stitches on his forehead.
Tuesday, police complaints authority was called in to establish how 33-year old Malik, son of Burnley's deputy mayor, suffered the injury. Malik is threatening to launch civil proceedings for assault and is demanding an apology from the chief constable of Lancashire, Pauline Clare.
The incident is a major embarrassment for Lancashire police, who have taken care to maintain an even-handed approach in dealing with white and Asian youths during four nights of disturbances. It happened after a brick was thrown towards police in riot gear, who then advanced on a group of about 200 Asian youths. Malik claims to have been assaulted while trying to mediate between police and Asian youths.
"I can't believe they did this to me, and I am still trying to come to terms with it," he said. "During the previous day I had played a positive role with the police. On two occasions when I intervened, the inspector in charge said, 'he's a good guy, he's with us.'"
Bureau Report
Tuesday, police complaints authority was called in to establish how 33-year old Malik, son of Burnley's deputy mayor, suffered the injury. Malik is threatening to launch civil proceedings for assault and is demanding an apology from the chief constable of Lancashire, Pauline Clare.
The incident is a major embarrassment for Lancashire police, who have taken care to maintain an even-handed approach in dealing with white and Asian youths during four nights of disturbances. It happened after a brick was thrown towards police in riot gear, who then advanced on a group of about 200 Asian youths. Malik claims to have been assaulted while trying to mediate between police and Asian youths.
"I can't believe they did this to me, and I am still trying to come to terms with it," he said. "During the previous day I had played a positive role with the police. On two occasions when I intervened, the inspector in charge said, 'he's a good guy, he's with us.'"
Bureau Report