Teenager's lawyer withdraws after Manchester airport 'murder' comments

The lawyer for the family at the centre of the Manchester Airport brawl has said he is stepping down as investigations into the incident gather pace.

Akhmed Yakoob has come under fire after claiming that Muhammed Fahir, 19, was the victim of an “assassination attempt” that left him “fighting for his life”.

In footage released over the weekend, Fahir can be seen punching officers before being tasered. An armed officer was then filmed kicking the teenager in the face and stamping on his head.

The officer has been suspended and faces criminal charges of assault as part of an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). He is expected to be questioned under caution in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have stepped up their investigation into Fahir and three others who were arrested at the scene over allegations of affray and assault against emergency service workers.

Yakoob, director of Birmingham-based firm Maurice Andrews Solicitors, said the media had tried to “sabotage” him since he began representing Fahir’s family last week.

Speaking to the camera from the back of a car on Sunday evening, he said: “You may have seen the various media reports about me in recent days.

“The media have tried to sabotage me. It’s not the first time they’ve done it, but they’ve made this whole thing about personal matters rather than police brutality and police misconduct, which is unfair to Greater Manchester Police and the family.

“After consulting with the family, I have decided to step aside for the time being and have recommended that the family seek legal advice. But I will be monitoring this closely.”

He added: “I want to make it clear that I am not in favor of violence, whether it is carried out by police officers or by civilians. Always remember that.”

The 36-year-old, who has 200,000 followers on TikTok and frequently posts updates about Fahir’s case, was investigated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority this year after using social media to promote a false allegation of racism against a young teacher.

He stood as an independent candidate in Birmingham Ladywood in the general election after coming third in the West Midlands mayoral vote in May. He apologised in June after being criticised for saying on a podcast that “70% of hell will be women”, and for failing to condemn a guest who said he would give his wife a “bribe” if she made money dancing on TikTok.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, called for calm this weekend after the Manchester Evening News published footage showing police officers being beaten by two men, one of whom was then kicked by the armed officer under investigation.

GMP has appealed for witnesses to provide information and video footage of three incidents prior to the one involving the suspended officer.

The first incident occurred during an altercation between passengers on Qatar Airways flight QR023, which arrived at 7:20pm on Tuesday, July 23. Police said the altercation may have taken place during the flight or afterwards in the baggage hall of Terminal 2.

The second incident was a “violent altercation” involving people at a Starbucks in Terminal Two about an hour later, police said.

The third incident was the assault of three police officers that occurred in the payment area of the Terminal 2 parking lot at 8:28 p.m. All three officers suffered head injuries, including broken noses, police said.