Lee Anderson and Richard Tice spark outrage by defending Manchester airport bombing

“This is probably the best example of why Tice and the fascist reformist private sector should never be allowed anywhere near power.”

A video showing a police officer stamping on a man’s head during an arrest at Manchester Airport went viral this week. Another man was also kicked and punched.

One of the men, known as ‘Fahir’, who is believed to be from Rochdale, was later diagnosed with a brain cyst in a scan carried out after the incident, according to the family’s lawyer. Greater Manchester Police issued a statement saying the incident happened after three officers were assaulted during an arrest.

The footage sparked widespread condemnation as a blatant example of police brutality. Hundreds of people gathered outside Rochdale police station to protest the incident, with chants of “GMP, shame on you” heard.

Trade unionist Howard Beckett described the incident as “the most brutal police attack on two men”, adding on social media that it was “violence in uniform”.

Claudia Webbe, a former MP, called the incident “a gang of serving police officers engaged in brutal violence”. She said: “They call it policing by consent, building trust. The victims are Muslim. Our silence guarantees police impunity. We cannot remain silent or silenced.”

While the British public has widely expressed shock and disgust at the video, Richard Tice and Lee Anderson of Reform UK have expressed support for the police actions.

Talk about Talk, Richard Tice, vice-chair of Reform UK, described the video of a police officer stamping on a suspect’s head at Manchester Airport as “not disturbing” but rather “reassuring”. Tice argued that the use of tasers by police indicated a serious situation, adding: “Police officers don’t use tasers unless they are genuinely concerned about the safety of the public and themselves. It’s not disturbing, it’s reassuring.”

His comments sparked disbelief and widespread outrage online. One person noted:

“Richard Tice said he felt “reassured” after seeing a police officer stomp on a man’s head. This is perhaps the best example of why Tice and the fascist Reform movement should never be allowed anywhere near power.”

Another commented: “That was an excessive use of force and if he thinks that’s acceptable he shouldn’t be anywhere near Westminster.”

“They were already down, only a coward kicks a man who is already down. This is shameful,” another post wrote.

Lee Anderson, the British Reform MP for Ashfield, echoed Tice’s sentiments, suggesting the police involved deserved a medal. BBCAnderson said: “The message I’m getting loud and clear from my constituents is that they’re tired of seeing police dancing around rainbows, being nice to people and running away from rioters. They want police to do their jobs, and I think those officers of yesterday should be commended. In fact, I would give them a medal.”

These comments also provoked a violent reaction. Live PoliticsForeign Secretary Baroness Chapman criticised Anderson, saying he was “completely wrong to rush to a conclusion like that without being fully aware of all the facts”. She stressed the sensitivity of the situation and warned against jumping to conclusions.

“I don’t think it’s right for politicians to start flexing their muscles and trying to make political sense out of this situation,” Baroness Chapman said.

Despite the backlash, Anderson reiterated his stance on social media. On X, he wrote: “Support our police. Our brave police need to make split-second decisions to protect us. We are tired of mob rule and want to see stronger enforcement. The people who criticize our police are the same people who criticize our troopers. Shame on you.”

He also accused the BBC of bias, claiming they failed to adequately report on injuries suffered by officers.

Disbelief at Anderson’s comments quickly spread online. One X user wrote: “No information or context about the incident, yet you make a vile statement to the press and in doing so run the risk of causing tension and civil unrest in the area. Is that your goal? I’m pretty sure this is as low as it gets for an MP.”