This comes after mayor Andy Burnham said he wanted a ‘full explanation’ from the police
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have launched an ‘urgent review’ into an arrest made at a ‘Kill the Bill’ protest last weekend, after a woman was left partially exposed in her underwear.
Hundreds of protestors gathered on the streets of Manchester on Saturday to campaign against the Police and Crime Bill, which would give the police greater powers to shut down demonstrations.
A total of 18 arrests were made by GMP following the city centre protest.
Images of the woman who was left exposed during her arrest have since circulated on social media, with many demanding an explanation.
Despite an officer’s attempt to pull the protestor’s jeans back up, the incident had already been widely photographed by people at the scene.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham responded to the images on social media, after a Twitter user tagged him in a photo of the exposed protestor.
I am Mike. I have started by asking @gmpolice to provide a full explanation of what happened.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) March 29, 2021
He said on Twitter last night: “I have started by asking @gmpolice to provide a full explanation of what happened.”
This morning he tweeted: “I appreciate how difficult things were for officers on Saturday. But an image like that can’t be left without an explanation.”
He later tweeted: “They are often in a no-win situation. I am responding to public concern, as is my job, but will always balance that by recognising how difficult things can be for the police.”
One user commented on the scene, saying: “This is horrifying.”
This morning, GMP released a statement, following the mayor’s demand for a “full explanation” of the incident on Saturday.
Statement following images circulating of a woman being arrested following Saturday's protest: pic.twitter.com/xZzUUGTIHJ
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) March 30, 2021
A spokesperson for GMP said in a statement: “We are aware of the videos and images of a woman partially exposed when being arrested following Saturday’s protest in the city centre, which make for uncomfortable viewing.
“An urgent review is underway to establish circumstances and an update will follow in due course.”
