Officer thought to be shown in video striking Ian Tomlinson shortly before his death during G20 protests comes forward

This article is more than 11 years old

This article is more than 11 years old

The police officer thought to be shown in video footage striking Ian Tomlinson shortly before the newsagent died during last week's G20 protests has come forward to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

The video footage obtained by the Guardian shows Tomlinson, 47, walking past police with his hands in his pockets, then being knocked to the ground by an officer in riot gear who strikes him from behind with a baton as officers from the City of London force look on. Minutes later Tomlinson suffered a fatal heart attack.

The City of London police initially was investigating the attack, supervised by the IPCC, but today after the video came to light the IPCC reversed its decision and announced its own investigators would conduct a full criminal inquiry.

Also tonight, new footage emerged from ITN/Channel Four News of the moment Tomlinson was struck, showing the riot officer swinging his arm back fully before striking Tomlinson.

The IPCC has ordered a second postmortem examination, which aims to provide medical evidence as to what caused the death of the newspaper seller. The first attributed his death to natural causes.

Tonight, Tomlinson's family released a statement through their lawyer which said they wanted "to thank the media for bringing crucial evidence about Ian's death to light".

The family said they were "grateful to all the witnesses who have come forward and asked for anyone else who has information to contact Tuckers Solicitors and the IPCC".

Tomlinson was on his way home and was not part of the protest last Wednesday in the City.