Metropolitan Police has paid out more than £100k to keep G20 demo cases out of court
by Laurie Hanna, Daily Mirror 14/02/2011

THE Metropolitan Police has paid more than £100,000 to G20 protesters who claim they were mistreated by riot cops.

An investigation by the Mirror found the cash had been used to keep 30 cases out of court.

As of this month, £117,000 had been given to demonstrators who say they were assaulted or falsely imprisoned in the protests of April 2009.

The biggest payout was to David Hoffman, details obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveals.

The photographer, 64, was left with four ­fractured teeth after being smashed in the face with a shield.

The Met has been condemned by its watchdog for its approach to the protests in London, during which bystander Ian Tomlinson died after being pushed to the ground.

The Metropolitan Police Authority attacked macho training methods, a lack of supervision and confusion over kettling – where big groups are held in a confined area.

Mr Hoffman said: “The police can just toss cash to people who complain but the officers who caused this have walked free.”

An MPA spokesman said: “The decision to settle does not imply that the officers involved have done wrong. Each case is considered on its merits.”

[Also reported in London Evening Standard:  http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23923166-met-pays-pound-117000-in-g20-compensation.do]