Reform UK legal action threat over Manchester Airport incident

Richard Tice, Reform MP for Boston and Skegness, and Farage said by not releasing footage, police had allowed misinformation to “permeate through the country”.

Police forces rarely release footage unless there is a “policing purpose”, often to identify suspects.

In this case the suspects had been arrested.

Four men arrested on suspicion of affray and assault remain on bail.

GMP conducted its own investigations into the officers before handing over the matter to the IOPC.

One officer is under investigation in connection with the arrests of the brothers and he has also been suspended by the force.

A second officer has been advised they were also under investigation shortly after two other men were arrested.

Tice told reporters 11 weeks after the incident those involved had not been charged, and compared that to the “swift justice shown” to those involved in the summer riots, adding they were “being treated differently”.

Tice said a letter had been sent to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, signed by all of the party’s five MPs addressing their “genuine concerns”.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We expect high standards of conduct from police officers and they must equally be able to carry out their jobs without disruption.

“It is right that the CPS and the IOPC are both able to carry out their investigations independently, without fear or favour.”

The CPS added: “We are working with Greater Manchester Police and the Independent Office for Police Conduct while their inquiries continue.”

Tice said the party had taken initial advice and had a legal team on standby to progress with their own private prosecution when required.

Anyone can begin a private prosecution, however in practice they are often taken over by the CPS, and can be discontinued.