G20 police kettling tacticals were unlawful rule judges - now thousands could sue

 OP judges ruled yesterday that police kettling tactics against G20 protesters were unlawful. 

The High Court decision paves the way for thousands of people to sue police. John Halford, the solicitor acting in the case, said: “Everyone in the kettle has a claim for false imprisonment and damages as they were detained against their will.”

But the Met Police claim the ruling will hamper their ability to prevent disorder – and plan to appeal.

The action was brought by student Hannah McClure and Josh Moos, a campaigner for Plane Stupid, who challenged the “violent” methods used against them at the Camp for Climate Action in Bishopsgate on April 1 2009. 

That was the day newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson died after being struck by an officer at a separate G20 protest. Police said they used kettling at the 4,000-strong climate camp, because they feared it would be “hijacked” by violent protesters.

But the High Court found no evidence to justify the tight cordon thrown round the demonstrators for more than four hours. The judges slammed “unduly inflexible” arrangements for releasing people within it.

They also criticised a lack of training and the use of “unjustified force” as officers pushed a 15-deep crowd back some 20 to 30metres.

Mr Halford said: “The court roundly condemned the oppressive police response, exposing it as unacceptable in a democratic society.”

But a Met spokesman confirmed they plan to appeal, adding: “We will continue to use containment as a last resort to prevent serious disorder and violence.”

Tom Pettifor, Daily Mirror 15/04/2011